Protecting Your Teeth From the Very Start
Fluoride Treatment Children
in particular, benefit from fluoride treatment. As adult teeth come in, fluoride treatments help combat tooth decay through a process called remineralization. Acids from plaque and the food we eat can wear down tooth enamel by depleting it of essential minerals. Fluoride treatment halts and reverses this process, making tooth enamel stronger and more resistant to decay.
Dental Sealants
The biting surfaces of molars have numerous grooves and fissures that can easily trap acidic plaque or food particles, which may be difficult to clean. When children get new molars, dental sealants can be used to keep debris out, protect their natural teeth, and prevent decay. Dental sealants provide a protective shield for these vulnerable areas.
Why Opt for Sealants and Fluoride?
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) supports the appropriate and selective use of sealants for both primary and permanent teeth based on a risk assessment and diagnosis by a dentist. According to the CDA, sealants are an important component of a comprehensive preventive program, which includes nutritional counselling, optimal fluoride exposure, good oral hygiene, and regular dental examinations.
Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
The enamel is just the outermost layer of a tooth. Underneath the enamel, a tooth is made up of dentin, pulp, and nerve. Dentin helps support the structure of your tooth but cannot protect the nerve from hot, cold, acidic, or sticky foods. If the enamel becomes thin and worn, teeth will become sensitive. Fluoride and sealants keep the enamel in excellent condition, allowing it to continue protecting your sensitive dentin from the elements.
Prevent and Reverse Decay
Worn enamel can decay until a cavity forms. In addition to causing tooth sensitivity, exposed dentin comes with the added risk of infection, which can be extremely painful and may require a root canal to save the tooth. Rebuilding enamel with fluoride treatment and shielding problem areas from plaque buildup helps prevent decay and strengthens teeth.
Save Money in the Long Run
An ounce of prevention now is worth a pound of cure tomorrow. Fluoride and sealants are relatively inexpensive treatments that prevent the need for more costly procedures if tooth decay is allowed to progress.
The Fluoridation and Sealant Process
Fluoride treatments are typically added to your child’s routine teeth cleaning and exam once a year. Sealants are applied as needed, usually after a new molar erupts or if the dentist recognizes a problem area on the biting surface of a tooth.
Fluoride Treatment
The fluoride treatment we use is stronger than store-bought options because it is administered by medical professionals in our office. Our most common fluoride treatment comes in the form of foam or gel in an upper and lower tray. Fluoride takes only a few minutes to apply at the end of your teeth cleaning. We will ask that the patient avoids eating or drinking for 30 minutes after treatment to ensure maximum benefits.
Dental Sealant Application
Dental sealants are very easy to apply and completely painless. There is no drilling required, and you won’t need freezing. The dentist will carefully clean and dry the tooth. A mild acidic gel is applied to the tooth to make the surface slightly rough for the strongest bond. The dentist will rinse off the gel after a few seconds, dry the tooth again, and then press and apply the sealant into the grooves of the tooth. A special blue light is used to cure the sealant. Your bite should still feel natural and comfortable when it’s done.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your dentist or hygienist will advise you to wait 30 minutes after fluoride treatment before eating or drinking. This waiting period allows the fluoride to absorb into your tooth enamel and take effect.
Did you know that fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral? Small concentrations of fluoride are present in some sources of drinking water. Scientists discovered the benefits of fluoride when they noticed that people who lived near fluoridated water sources had less tooth decay. Since then, fluoride has been added to other drinking water sources and incorporated into routine dental care regimens. Fluoride treatment has been safely preventing dental decay worldwide for generations.
Dental sealant is bonded to the biting surfaces of molars and acts as a shield to protect the vulnerable grooves and fissures of teeth from decay.
Dental sealants can last up to 10 years with proper oral hygiene and regular checkups. Be sure to brush and floss regularly and avoid acidic foods and drinks, especially before bed. If dental sealants become chipped or worn, a dentist or hygienist can easily repair them.
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