Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDental Health With FluorideProcedureCostHow Much Is Needed?BenefitsSide EffectsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Dental Health With Fluoride
Procedure
Cost
How Much Is Needed?
Benefits
Side Effects
Frequently Asked Questions
This article discusses fluoride treatments, their benefits, and their possible side effects.
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Both of these methods are effective ways to apply fluoride to your teeth. However, your dentist may suggest a dental fluoride treatment option if you need additional fluoride.
While there are over-the-counter (OTC) fluoride treatments for adults and children, your dentist may suggest an in-office fluoride treatment. These include:
Don’t Use Too Much Fluoride
The cost for a dental fluoride treatment varies based on the type, but they typically start at around $25.If you have dental insurance, your policy may cover certain dental fluoride treatments. It’s important to discuss these treatments with your insurance provider before you get one at the dentist’s office.
How Much Fluoride Is Needed?
For healthy teeth, brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Most toothpaste has a range of 1,000–1,500 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride.
Parents with children younger than 2 should consult with their healthcare provider, pediatrician, or dentist before starting a fluoride toothpaste. However, when your child cuts their first tooth, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests using a “smear” of fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
Children ages 3–6 years should use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.There are also lower concentrations of fluoride available for children younger than 2 (for example, 500 ppm).
Talk with your dentist regarding specific fluoride amounts if you need additional fluoride.
Don’t Skip Regular Dental VisitsVisit a board-certified dentist at least once a year for a regular dental hygiene checkup. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to monitor any changes that could lead to tooth decay or gum disease, which will require treatment.Smaller children may find going to a pediatric dental specialist more enjoyable than going to a regular dentist.
Don’t Skip Regular Dental Visits
Visit a board-certified dentist at least once a year for a regular dental hygiene checkup. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to monitor any changes that could lead to tooth decay or gum disease, which will require treatment.Smaller children may find going to a pediatric dental specialist more enjoyable than going to a regular dentist.
Visit a board-certified dentist at least once a year for a regular dental hygiene checkup. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to monitor any changes that could lead to tooth decay or gum disease, which will require treatment.
Smaller children may find going to a pediatric dental specialist more enjoyable than going to a regular dentist.
Like many other minerals, fluoride can be toxic if you consume it in high doses. However, if you brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, the amount of it is too small to present a risk. If your dentist prescribes additional fluoride treatments, it’s important to use them as directed.
Children ages 8 and younger are at risk for developing dental fluorosis, or discoloration on their teeth, if they use too much fluoride over a long period of time.This is because their permanent teeth are below the gumline and still developing. It may appear as white flecks, spots, or lines.
Summary
Good dental hygiene includes fluoride in your toothpaste and/or drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. If necessary, your dentist may recommend additional dental fluoride treatments. These treatments are a quick and easy way to help ward off tooth decay and gum disease. To keep your teeth healthy, it’s important to brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
A Word From Verywell
Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day goes a long way in keeping your teeth healthy and strong. Be sure to get a dental cleaning and checkup at least once a year, and speak with the dentist about fluoride treatments.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow long a fluoride treatment lasts depends on the fluoride treatment. For instance, with a fluoride rinse, you may need to use the rinse daily or weekly. However, with a fluoride varnish, you may just need two applications per year.It depends on the fluoride treatment you use. For example, if you use a fluoride rinse, you can brush your teeth at your next regularly scheduled time to brush. So if you rinse in the morning, you can brush again that evening. If you have a fluoride varnish, your dentist may instruct you not to brush again for several hours.
How long a fluoride treatment lasts depends on the fluoride treatment. For instance, with a fluoride rinse, you may need to use the rinse daily or weekly. However, with a fluoride varnish, you may just need two applications per year.
It depends on the fluoride treatment you use. For example, if you use a fluoride rinse, you can brush your teeth at your next regularly scheduled time to brush. So if you rinse in the morning, you can brush again that evening. If you have a fluoride varnish, your dentist may instruct you not to brush again for several hours.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Dental Association.How fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay.American Dental Association.Fluoride: Topical and systemic supplements.The Journal of the American Dental Association.Fluoride treatments in the dental office.University of Washington School of Dentistry.New Study Questions Value of Fluoride Varnish.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fluoride.The American Academy of Pediatrics.Fluoride for children: FAQs.Oral Health Foundation.Fluoride.American Dental Association.Fluorosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About dental fluorosis.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Dental Association.How fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay.American Dental Association.Fluoride: Topical and systemic supplements.The Journal of the American Dental Association.Fluoride treatments in the dental office.University of Washington School of Dentistry.New Study Questions Value of Fluoride Varnish.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fluoride.The American Academy of Pediatrics.Fluoride for children: FAQs.Oral Health Foundation.Fluoride.American Dental Association.Fluorosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About dental fluorosis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Dental Association.How fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay.American Dental Association.Fluoride: Topical and systemic supplements.The Journal of the American Dental Association.Fluoride treatments in the dental office.University of Washington School of Dentistry.New Study Questions Value of Fluoride Varnish.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fluoride.The American Academy of Pediatrics.Fluoride for children: FAQs.Oral Health Foundation.Fluoride.American Dental Association.Fluorosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About dental fluorosis.
American Dental Association.How fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay.
American Dental Association.Fluoride: Topical and systemic supplements.
The Journal of the American Dental Association.Fluoride treatments in the dental office.
University of Washington School of Dentistry.New Study Questions Value of Fluoride Varnish.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fluoride.
The American Academy of Pediatrics.Fluoride for children: FAQs.
Oral Health Foundation.Fluoride.
American Dental Association.Fluorosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About dental fluorosis.
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