If your dentist occasionally suggests a fluoride treatment, but you consistently choose to put it off, you should reconsider. Treatments with fluoride are a painless, minimally intrusive, and safe way to strengthen teeth and stop decay. But what happens if you eat after fluoride treatment? Well, you can reduce the effectiveness of fluoride. Let’s learn how!
What is a Fluoride Treatment?
A naturally occurring mineral, fluoride is used to strengthen teeth and bones in oral and general health. Direct application of fluoride to teeth strengthens and guards against tooth decay by adding minerals to the tooth’s enamel, or outermost layer. The tap drinking water in your neighborhood probably exposes you to fluoride on a regular basis.
What Happens If You Eat Something After Getting a Fluoride Treatment?
It is usually advised to refrain from eating or drinking anything for at least half an hour after receiving a fluoride treatment. This maximizes the fluoride’s ability to prevent cavities by enabling it to completely connect with your tooth enamel. Eating or drinking too soon after the procedure might weaken the fluoride solution and lessen its effectiveness.
Fluoride requires time to “soak” into your tooth enamel’s microscopic tubules, or pores. Fluoride is less effective or completely removed from your teeth if you eat or drink something immediately after it is administered. The longer the fluoride may remain on your teeth, the better the remineralization and anti-sensitivity effects will be.
What to Eat After Fluoride Treatment?
Generally, there are few post-treatment guidelines that follow a fluoride treatment. After receiving a fluoride treatment, you may usually resume eating. You will get post-treatment instructions and any special instructions from your dentist. After a fluoride treatment, you might want to consider your diet more carefully. The teeth and gums are quite sensitive just after the procedure. Here is a list of recommended foods to eat after a fluoride treatment, including:
- Soft foods (applesauce, mashed potatoes, yogurt, bananas, etc)
- Soups or liquid foods
- Hard-boiled eggs
Tips for Post-Fluoride Treatment
The following advice can be very beneficial after 6 hours of fluoride treatment:
No Citrus meals: Steer clear of meals with a lot of acid to assist reduce any sensitivity you may experience after receiving fluoride treatment.
No Vigorous Brushing: Avoid brushing or flossing right away since fluoride takes time to dissolve in your enamel. For this reason, dentists advise maintaining your dental hygiene routine for around six hours.
Eat only soft foods: After a fluoride flush, foods like soup, mashed and boiled potatoes, or yogurt are excellent lunch choices.
Refuse Hot Drinks: To prevent sensitive discomfort following this therapy, limit your intake to room-temperature beverages.
Ending Note!
You should think about getting a fluoride treatment if your next regular dentist appointment is coming up. It is advised not to eat anything after fluoride treatment, but if you do, you may wash away all the fluoride before it has a chance to be reabsorbed to your teeth.
For further queries and concerns, visit us at Divine Dental Studio of Ceres. Call (209) 207-7777 to book your appointment.