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Fluoride & Tooth Decay (1 of 2)
When your dentist detects a weak spot on your tooth, at-home fluoride treatments may be recommended to reverse the decay process. If the weak spot is left unchecked, a cavity may form, necessitating a filling. If decay is allowed to spread, it may penetrate the root and enter the pulp (nerve) chamber, causing an abscess and requiring root canal treatment. Use of fluoridated toothpaste can help prevent tooth decay at its early stage.
Tooth enamel is hard and porous. It consists of many closely-packed rods made of minerals. When you eat, acid forms on the outside of the tooth and seeps into the enamel's pores. This demineralization process can produce a weak spot in the tooth's surface. If unchecked the enamel can decay and create a cavity.
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