Protecting Your Teeth From the Very Start
Fluoride Treatment for Children
Children, in particular, can greatly benefit from fluoride treatment. As adult teeth emerge, fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay through a process known as remineralization. Acids from plaque and food can gradually wear down tooth enamel by depleting it of essential minerals. Fluoride treatments stop and even reverse this process, strengthening enamel and making teeth more resistant to decay.
Dental Sealants
The biting surfaces of molars feature grooves and fissures that can easily trap acidic plaque or food particles, which are often difficult to clean. When children receive their new molars, dental sealants offer an effective solution by creating a protective barrier that prevents debris from entering, safeguarding natural teeth, and preventing decay. Dental sealants act as a shield for these vulnerable areas.
Why Opt for Sealants and Fluoride?
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) supports the selective and appropriate use of sealants for both primary and permanent teeth, based on a thorough risk assessment and diagnosis by a dentist. Sealants are considered a vital part of a comprehensive preventive care program, which also includes nutritional counselling, optimal fluoride exposure, good oral hygiene, and regular dental check-ups.
Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth enamel serves as the outermost layer, while beneath it, the tooth consists of dentin, pulp, and nerve. While dentin supports the tooth structure, it does not protect the nerve from hot, cold, or acidic foods. If the enamel wears down, teeth become more sensitive. Fluoride and sealants help preserve enamel, ensuring it continues to protect your sensitive dentin from external factors.
Prevent and Reverse Decay
When enamel wears thin, it can decay, eventually leading to cavities. In addition to causing sensitivity, exposed dentin increases the risk of infection, which can be incredibly painful and might require a root canal to save the tooth. By rebuilding enamel with fluoride treatment and protecting vulnerable areas from plaque buildup, sealants help prevent decay and strengthen the teeth.
Save Money in the Long Run
Prevention is always more affordable than treatment. Fluoride and sealants are cost-effective ways to protect your teeth now, helping you avoid more expensive procedures if tooth decay progresses unchecked.
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 identifies a potential problem area on the biting surface of a tooth.
Fluoride Treatment
The fluoride treatment we use is stronger than the over-the-counter options, as it is administered by dental professionals in our office. Our most common fluoride treatment comes in the form of foam or gel, applied in both the upper and lower trays. The treatment only takes a few minutes at the end of your cleaning. We will ask that the patient refrain from eating or drinking for 30 minutes after treatment to ensure they receive the full benefits.
Dental Sealant Application
Applying dental sealants is a quick and painless process. No drilling or freezing is required. The dentist will begin by carefully cleaning and drying the tooth. A mild acidic gel is applied to the tooth surface to create a rough texture, which helps form a strong bond. After a few seconds, the gel is rinsed off, and the tooth is dried again. The dentist will then apply the sealant into the grooves of the tooth. A special blue light is used to cure the sealant. Once completed, your bite will feel natural and comfortable.
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 recommend waiting 30 minutes after fluoride treatment before eating or drinking. This waiting period allows the fluoride to properly absorb into your tooth enamel, ensuring it has the maximum effect.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in some drinking water sources. Research has shown that people living near fluoridated water sources tend to experience less tooth decay. This discovery led to the widespread addition of fluoride to drinking water and its incorporation into regular dental care routines. Fluoride treatments have been safely preventing dental decay worldwide for generations, offering a proven, effective method of dental protection.
Dental sealant is applied to the chewing surfaces of your molars, where it sticks to the grooves and cracks. It creates a protective shield, helping to keep those hard-to-reach areas safe from decay and plaque buildup.
Dental sealants can last up to 10 years with proper oral hygiene and regular checkups. To maintain their effectiveness, it’s important to brush and floss regularly and limit acidic foods and drinks, especially before bedtime. If a sealant becomes chipped or worn, a dentist or hygienist can easily repair it.
You can eat immediately after the dental sealant procedure, as the material hardens quickly and doesn’t require any waiting time.
Fluoride treatment is generally safe and well-tolerated. In rare cases, some individuals may experience mild irritation or a temporary taste change, but these side effects are uncommon and usually go away quickly.
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