Fluoride Treatments

How Fluoride Protects Your Teeth

Fluoride is a natural mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and makes teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars. There are two ways fluoride benefits your teeth:

Topical Fluoride

Applied directly to the surface of your teeth during professional treatments, topical fluoride strengthens enamel that has already erupted. We recommend professional fluoride applications twice a year, especially for children whose teeth are still developing. The treatment takes just a few minutes after your cleaning.

Systemic Fluoride

Fluoride consumed through water, foods, and supplements is incorporated into developing tooth structures before they erupt, making them stronger from the inside out. Scottsdale's water supply contains fluoride, which provides a baseline level of protection.

Who Benefits Most from Fluoride?

While everyone benefits from fluoride, certain patients are at higher risk for decay and benefit most from professional applications:

• Teeth with deep grooves and pits where bacteria can hide
• Exposed root surfaces from gum recession
• Patients with a history of frequent cavities
• Those with poor oral hygiene habits or limited access to dental care
• People who consume a high-sugar or high-carbohydrate diet
• Patients with reduced saliva flow from medications, medical conditions, or mouth breathing
• Children aged 6 to 16 during the cavity-prone years when permanent teeth are erupting