Fluoride & Sealants

Fluoride is a natural mineral plays a crucial role in maintaining strong, healthy teeth. It supports the remineralization process, which restores essential minerals to tooth enamel after they’ve been removed by acids from food and drinks. When this mineral is present in your saliva, it adheres to areas of your teeth that have experienced demineralization, attracting minerals like calcium. This helps rebuild your enamel, making it stronger and more resistant to decay. Combined with dental sealants, this mineral offers powerful protection for your teeth, ensuring long-term oral health.

The benefits extend beyond remineralization. Not only does it help repair weakened enamel, but it also fortifies your teeth against future damage. The new tooth mineral formed in the presence of fluoride is stronger and more resistant to acid attacks than the original tooth structure. This mineral transforms the natural composition of your enamel from hydroxyapatite, which is more prone to damage, into fluorapatite, a much more resilient compound. This makes your teeth less susceptible to decay and provides lasting protection against cavities.

In addition to strengthening your enamel, fluoride works to inhibit the activity of harmful bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria feed on sugars and produce acids that break down tooth enamel. However, fluoride disrupts this process by limiting the bacteria’s ability to metabolize sugars. As a result, less acid is produced, and the demineralization process slows down significantly. With regular fluoride treatments, you can help maintain a healthy balance in your mouth, reducing your risk of cavities and other dental issues.

Our teeth are constantly exposed to bacteria, which form a sticky film called plaque on the surface. When we consume sugary foods and drinks, the bacteria convert the sugars into acids that attack the tooth enamel, leading to decay or cavities. Dental sealants offer an additional layer of protection, acting as a barrier to prevent these acids from causing damage.

Applying dental sealants is a quick and painless process. After your teeth are thoroughly cleaned, the sealant is carefully painted onto the chewing surfaces of your molars, where decay is most likely to occur. Once applied, the sealant hardens to form a protective shield over the enamel. While sealants are durable, they can wear down over time. During your regular dental check-ups, your dentist will examine the condition of your sealants and reapply them as needed to ensure continued protection.