A common misconception that many dental patients have is that the use of fluoride is strictly to be used with children. We have been led to believe this primarily because dental insurance companies often cover this benefit only for younger patients. The fact of the matter is that a professionally applied fluoride treatment is a great benefit for all patients. In this practice, patients come to us because they care about their dental health and expect to have a lifetime of use from their teeth. One way to ensure this is to incorporate the use of a fluoride varnish at your next hygiene visit. The benefits of this application last for months, unlike the use of at home rinses. Here’s how it works: the fluoride ion gets incorporated into the enamel of your teeth and renders them less susceptible to the acids in the foods we eat and from the bacteria that produce cavities. For children with teeth still developing, the fluoride in many town’s water is used to create a stronger enamel when the tooth makes it’s appearance into the mouth. But this form of fluoride is not as helpful for those of us whose teeth are already fully developed. Used in conjunction with at fluoride home rinses, this varnish will help prevent weakened tooth structure from developing cavities and will help the enamel to repair itself. So the next time you are in the office, ask us more about the benefits of a professionally applied fluoride varnish. Adults are encouraged to play along with the kids in this game. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"