Fluoride Treatment in Gainesville, GA

North Georgia general dentist Dr. Patrick B. Toms offers fluoride treatments for patients. Even though your drinking water is fluoridated, we can still supplement your intake with fluoride treatments at Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. in Gainesville, GA.

Fluoride is a mineral and a tooth decay fighter that helps to strengthen bones and dental enamel. This is why cities that put fluoride in their drinking water have fewer cavities and problems with tooth decay. We provide fluoride treatments for our younger patients who have growing teeth and older patients with weakened enamels to improve their dental health. Get more information about fluoride treatments at your dental exam with our general dentist, Dr. Toms.

Professional fluoride treatments may be administered to all patients, although it's most commonly given to children who have developing teeth or patients who have a lot of cavities consistently. Dr. Toms also suggests professional fluoride treatments for older patients whose drinking water is not fluoridated or if they are susceptible to tooth decay. Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. offers different formulas of fluoride if you have special concerns, such as neutral sodium fluoride for those with a dry mouth or acidulated phosphate fluoride for those with restorations (crowns, bridges, dentures). We also offer a choice of flavors to make treatments easier for younger patients. 

If you would like to have fluoride treatments for good measure, please ask about them at your next appointment.

Professional fluoride treatments are applied twice a year following your professional dental cleaning and exam. After your flavor is selected, the dental hygienist will begin to prepare your fluoride treatment as a gel, foam, or paint-on varnish. The treatment will stay on your teeth for 1 – 4 minutes so the fluoride can sink into your enamel, and then it can be removed dry. A suction tool may be used to help eliminate any excess fluoride after the treatment since you will not be able to rinse out your mouth, drink, or eat for at least half an hour after.

Nausea may take place if you accidentally swallow any fluoride; however, this will usually subside within 24 hours after your treatment. Although these professional treatments strengthen the teeth, you still need to have a consistent oral care routine at home by using a toothpaste with fluoride and flossing. You also need to scheduled dental exams and cleanings so Dr. Toms can continue to assess the need for professional fluoride treatments.

Many insurance companies pay for professional fluoride treatments for younger patients, but adults may not always be covered. We work to help you get the most coverage through your insurance before calculating your personal expenses. If you do not have dental insurance, Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. offers different payment options and may be able to help you get financing.

Make sure your family has healthy, strong smiles with fluoride treatments at Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. Dr. Toms recommends professional fluoride treatments for children with growing teeth and older patients who want to prevent future issues like a major cavity. Contact our team in Gainesville, GA to schedule a professional exam and cleaning with a fluoride treatment.