How Long Does Insurance Cover Fluoride Treatments?

When it comes to dental care, insurance companies often set the standard for what is recommended. Unfortunately, this means that many adults stop receiving fluoride treatments once their insurance no longer covers them. However, this doesn't mean that fluoride is any less important. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that everyone over the age of two brush daily with fluoride toothpaste.

To ensure you're getting the benefits of fluoride protection, look for a therapeutic rinse that specifically states it contains fluoride. Fluoride is especially important for children at high risk of tooth decay, so dentists can prescribe fluoride supplements such as tablets or liquids. Dental office fluoride is administered in a much higher concentration than what's found in toothpaste or mouthwash, providing valuable protection to those at greater risk of tooth decay. In the past, fluoride was primarily used to protect teeth during their initial eruption and development, so you may remember getting fluoride treatments when you visited the dentist as a child.

Nowadays, most toothpastes contain fluoride, but there are still some that don't. At your next preventive appointment at FFD, ask your hygienist about fluoride and which of the treatments they recommend. Toothpaste is another important source of fluoride; more than 95% of toothpaste sold in the United States contains it. Thanks to modern medicine, we can take advantage of the benefits of fluoride from a variety of sources such as community water, oral care products, and professional treatments.