It is a good idea to combine teeth cleaning with fluoride treatment, especially for children and people at high risk of decay.
It is applied by appointment. Fluoride strengthens the surface of the enamel and makes it more resistant to acids and, as a result, to decay.
This is achieved by exchanging the hydroxyl groups of hydroxyapatite (tooth enamel) with fluoride ions, thereby converting hydroxyapatite into fluorapatite, which is more resistant to acids and, consequently, more resistant to decay.
