Safeguarding Your Teeth Right from the Beginning
Fluoride Applications
Especially beneficial for children, fluoride applications support the emergence of adult teeth by battling tooth decay through remineralization. This process counters the enamel erosion caused by plaque acids and dietary sugars, which deplete essential minerals from the teeth. Fluoride applications halt and reverse this demineralization, reinforcing the tooth enamel’s resistance to decay.
Tooth Sealants
Molar biting surfaces feature numerous grooves and depressions that can capture acidic plaque or food remnants, posing a challenge for cleaning. As children’s new molars erupt, applying dental sealants can block out debris, safeguarding their natural teeth against decay. These sealants act as a defensive layer for those susceptible spots.
Choosing Sealants and Fluoride: The Benefits
The Canadian Dental Association endorses the judicious use of dental sealants on both baby and adult teeth, following a thorough risk assessment and diagnosis by a dental professional. The CDA views sealants as a crucial part of an all-encompassing preventive dental care strategy, which also emphasizes dietary advice, appropriate fluoride use, maintaining oral cleanliness, and consistent dental check-ups.
Minimizing Tooth Discomfort
The enamel serves as the external layer of a tooth, beneath which lies the dentin, pulp, and nerve. Dentin provides structural support but cannot shield the tooth’s nerve from temperature extremes or acidic and sticky foods. Thinning enamel can lead to increased sensitivity. By maintaining the enamel’s integrity with fluoride and sealants, the underlying sensitive dentin remains shielded from external factors.
Halting and Reversing Tooth Decay
Decaying enamel can progress to cavities, not only heightening sensitivity but also risking infection, which could necessitate a root canal treatment to preserve the tooth. Fluoride treatments rebuild enamel, while sealants prevent plaque accumulation in vulnerable spots, both aiding in decay prevention and fortifying the teeth.
Economical Benefits Over Time
Investing in preventive measures such as fluoride and sealants now can save substantial costs down the road by avoiding more expensive treatments required for advanced tooth decay. This approach to dental care is cost-effective, emphasizing prevention over the need for future corrective procedures.
The Process of Adding Fluoride and Applying Sealants
Incorporating fluoride treatments into your child’s regular dental cleaning and check-up is a common practice, typically done annually. Sealants are placed as necessary, often when a new molar appears or when the dentist identifies an area of concern on a tooth’s chewing surface.
Fluoride Application
Our in-office fluoride application is more potent than over-the-counter options, delivered by healthcare professionals. The treatment often involves a foam or gel in a tray that fits over the upper and lower teeth. This quick process is done at the conclusion of a dental cleaning session. Patients are advised to refrain from eating or drinking for 30 minutes post-treatment to enhance its efficacy.
Sealant Procedure
Applying dental sealants is straightforward and pain-free, eliminating the need for drilling or anesthesia. The procedure starts with the dentist thoroughly cleaning and drying the tooth. Next, a gentle acidic solution is applied to roughen the tooth’s surface, ensuring a durable bond. This solution is washed off after a short period, the tooth is dried again, and the sealant is meticulously placed into the tooth’s grooves. A curing light is then used to harden the sealant. The treatment does not affect how your bite feels, maintaining a natural and comfortable sensation.
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
Fluoride treatment is a dental procedure that applies a high concentration of fluoride to the teeth. It is important because fluoride strengthens the enamel, making teeth more resistant to decay. It can also help reverse early signs of tooth decay by remineralizing areas where the enamel has started to break down.
While fluoride treatments are particularly beneficial for children and teenagers as their developing teeth are more susceptible to cavities, adults can also benefit, especially if they have a history of cavities, suffer from dry mouth conditions, have gum disease, or wear braces.
The frequency of fluoride treatments can vary depending on an individual’s risk of dental decay. Dentists typically recommend fluoride treatments every 6 to 12 months for those with a moderate to high risk of cavities. However, some may suggest more frequent treatments, every 3 to 6 months, for those at higher risk.
Fluoride treatments are safe and effective when used as directed. However, excessive fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis in children under the age of 8, which appears as white lines or streaks on the teeth. It’s important for treatments to be applied professionally to avoid this risk.
No, fluoride treatment is not a substitute for daily brushing and flossing. It is an additional preventive measure that complements regular oral hygiene practices. Maintaining a daily routine of brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day is essential for optimal dental health.
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