Your tooth enamel is made up of microscopic mineral crystals structures. While this makes tooth enamel very strong it is not impervious to enamel erosion caused by consuming acidic foods, beverages and the bacteria in your mouth. As time goes on this process, known as demineralization, can create microscopic pores and channels in your tooth enamel.

Bacteria can slowly exploit these weakened areas to form an area of tooth decay, otherwise known as a cavity. It is also possible for severe enamel erosion to allow the pores in the enamel to extend into the sensitive dentin layer. This is one of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity problems.  

Increased exposure to fluoride, serves to restore the lost mineral content in tooth enamel. This effectively reverses tooth erosion and helps prevent future cavities from forming.

If you aren’t getting adequate fluoride exposure in your average day, our dentists might suggest a basic fluoride treatment. If you have well water, or your teeth show significant signs of enamel erosion, then they might also suggest brushing your teeth once a day with a prescription grade concentrated fluoride toothpaste.

It’s best to use the toothpaste at a time when you can avoid eating or drinking anything for at least half an hour. One of the most convenient ways to do this is simply to brush your teeth with the fluoride toothpaste right before you go to bed at night. This will give the fluoride time to fully saturate your teeth.

All of this is in addition to brushing your teeth with a brand of toothpaste that has added fluoride as part of your oral hygiene.

If you’ve had issues with tooth decay and sensitivity, you should call Wong Dental in Covina, California, at 626-709-3332 to schedule a fluoride treatment.