Can Older Patients Benefit from Fluoride Treatments?
By Peter Scerbo | Published on October 13, 2010 | 0 Comments
Fluoride treatments can help strengthen tooth enamel for people of all ages. Although much of the emphasis on fluoride is focused on children and teens, the reality is that elderly patients can get just as much benefit from the occasional fluoride treatment as anyone else, says Dr. Peter Scerbo of Florida Smiles Dental, a premier dentist office in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
For those who don’t know, fluoride is a chemical that helps strengthen tooth enamel and protects against the breakdown that can occur after consuming excessive sugars and acids. Although fluoride is found in a variety of substances, most dentists recommend that patients supplement their fluoride intake with additional rinses, gels, or foams that can be administered at the dentist’s office. In many areas around the country, people can also get fluoride from their local water supplies.
Since fluoride was first introduced into water supplies in the 1940s, the oral health of both children and adults throughout the country has significantly improved. As people have increasingly turned to bottled water rather than tap, however, new concerns are cropping up over whether children and adults throughout the country are getting enough fluoride in their collective diet.
To prevent damage later on in life, children are frequently given fluoride supplements and treatments when they visit the dentist’s office. However, the general assumption among most dentists is that adults are getting as much fluoride as they need from the fluoridated tap water in their towns; but if adults aren’t drinking tap water and are instead drinking bottled water exclusively, then there’s a chance that they may end up lacking in fluoride.
For children who are drinking bottled water regularly, and for those who live in communities that do not have fluoridated water, Dr. Scerbo recommends oral fluoride supplements. As important as it may be for children to get enough fluoride, Dr. Scerbo insists that adults in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond need fluoride treatments as well.
Dr. Scerbo says that he makes sure that the patients at his dentist office are getting enough fluoride in their diets by recommending in-office fluoride treatments on a semi-annual basis. In fact, these fluoride treatments are recommended for all patients who come into Dr. Scerbo’s office, regardless of age. However, he says that they are especially important for patients who primarily drink bottled water rather than tap.
In addition to in-office treatments, Dr. Scerbo recommends that people of all ages take advantage of the fluoridated toothpastes and mouth rinses that are widely available on drugstore shelves. Brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste each morning and night will help re-mineralize the teeth and strengthen the enamel. Not only are these over-the-counter toothpastes and rinses relatively inexpensive, but they are among the best ways that individuals can help keep their tooth enamel healthy and strong.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.