Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent tooth decay. We can get these benefits from fluoridated drinking water and by using over-the-counter fluoride toothpastes and rinses. For superior protection against cavities, your dentist might recommend a professional fluoride treatment.

How does fluoride work?

The enamel in our teeth is largely composed of calcium and phosphate ions. These elements combine to form hydroxyapatite, mineral crystals, which makes tooth enamel the strongest substance in the body. But enamel isn’t indestructible. The oral bacteria in plaque create acids that strip away calcium and phosphate minerals, a process called demineralization. Demineralization leaves the tooth surface weaker and more vulnerable to decay.

Fluoride helps remineralize tooth enamel. Fluoride works on the surface of the tooth to attract calcium and phosphate ions found in saliva, rebuilding tooth structure and reversing early decay. Even better, it joins with these ions to create fluorapatite. Fluorapatite crystals are larger, stronger, and more resistant to acids than hydroxyapatite. Fluoride not only remineralizes teeth, it leaves them stronger than they were originally.

Finally, studies have shown that fluoride inhibits both the growth of cavity-causing bacteria and their ability to produce acids.

Systemic and Topical Fluoride

Fluoride works internally and externally. Systemic benefits come the fluoride we consume in our diets, and topical benefits come from applying fluoride directly to the tooth surface.

Fluoride in drinking water has been shown to reduce the risk of childhood cavities by 25% or more. Fluoride bonds with the minerals in a child’s developing teeth, creating stronger, more cavity-resistant enamel even before the permanent teeth erupt.

Topical fluoride can be found in over the counter toothpastes and mouthwashes. Fluoridated drinking water strengthens the natural cavity-preventing properties of saliva. For the most effective topical fluoride protection, your dentist can provide a professional fluoride treatment.

Fluoride Treatments Are an Easy Addition to Regular Checkups

Fluoride treatments aren’t difficult or time-consuming. Fluoride can be administered as a gel, a varnish, a rinse, or a foam. It can be applied with a swab, brush, as a mouthwash, or in a tray. Aftercare generally only requires avoiding food and drink for 30 minutes.

And while fluoride treatments are especially important for children, adults can benefit as well. Dexterity issues which make brushing difficult, receding gums which expose parts of the roots, and conditions like dry mouth can leave the teeth more vulnerable to cavities as we age.

Professional fluoride protection lasts for months, and the treatment can be repeated as needed every three to 12 months.

Fluoride treatments strengthen teeth, help prevent tooth decay, and are easy to schedule with your regular checkups. Talk to your dentist to discover how fluoride treatments can benefit you and your family.

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Testimonials

What Our Clients Say About Us

  • "Dr. Katz is attentive to his patients' needs, always careful to ensure the patient's comfort...It's a friendly office with impeccable service. They will take good care of you!
    Over the years, Dr. Katz and his team have provided me with an extremely high level of care and personal sensitivity. He has earned my trust."
    Jim Velleco - Marblehead, MA
  • "I have had a lot of dental work done during my life--orthodontia, fillings, crowns, implants, root canals, a bridge--and Dr. Katz is by far the best dentist I've ever seen. In addition to being a superior craftsman with a lot of experience, Dr. Katz is attentive to his patients' needs, always careful to ensure the patient's comfort. His staff, several of whom have been working with him for decades, is likewise excellent. It's a friendly office with impeccable service. They will take good care of you!"
    Sandra Doherty
  • "Awesome Doctor and team - have been going to Dr. Katz's practice for over 20 years and the professionalism, care and attention are superb. They are warm, welcoming, caring and a pleasure to go to. Highly recommend them - with a warm smile!!!
    The professionalism, care and attention are superb. They are warm, welcoming, caring and a pleasure to go to."
    Paul Romano
  • "I travel from Woburn to Salem for my dental needs because there is no other dentist that I trust more than Dr. Katz. I am impressed with his professionalism and drive to stay on top of the best dental techniques. He and his team treat my wife and me like family. I highly recommend Dr. Katz!
    There is no other dentist that I trust more than Dr. Katz. I am impressed with his professionalism and drive to stay on top of the best dental techniques. He and his team treat my wife and me like family."
    Rob Dealy
  • "It’s not “Cheers” and they don’t serve beer, but it is a place “where everybody knows your name.” They know your family, too. And you know theirs. After 25 years here, for me it’s not just about having clean teeth. It’s about catching up with old friends, sharing what’s going on and caring about each other."
    Eugenia Fountain - Salem, ma
  • "They are thorough, careful and up to date on new techniques. One never feels like a "number" because there is very little staff turnover...We recommend them without hesitation.
    If you're looking for top-notch customer service, a welcoming staff, and valuable take-home knowledge, make an appointment with Dr. Katz. My mouth and I have had nothing but positive experiences in his care."
    Mike Briddon - Swampscott, MA
  • "Dr. Katz makes me feel like I'm the most important patient he has. He is calm, relaxed, informative, patient and gentle...I have heard nothing but positive feedback from the people I've sent
    Thank you for over 20 years of compassionate and technically excellent dental care."
    Christine Kowal - Swampscott, MA
  • "We come from Wakefield to see Dr. Katz. He has been our family dentist for the last 10 years and my husbands dentist since he was a kid. Today my very anxious 7 year old had to have a tooth pulled and Dr. Katz did a wonderful job at making him comfortable. My son got through the experience with flying colors and no tantrums. We would highly recommend him as a dentist!"
    Nicole Jennings
  • "My husband and I are long term patients of this practice because of the trust it has earned with us over time. They are thorough, careful and up to date on new techniques. One never feels like a "number" because there is very little staff turnover .....clearly a plus. We recommend them without hesitation!"
    Michelle Genereux

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Hours of Operation

Hours below do not reflect our 'temporary' modified schedule. Please call the office for details.

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

12:00 pm-8:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:00 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed