Protecting Your Teeth from the Very Start
Fluoride Treatment
Children especially benefit from fluoride treatment as their adult teeth emerge. Fluoride helps combat tooth decay through remineralization, a process that restores essential minerals lost due to acids from plaque and food. This treatment strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay and reversing damage caused by mineral loss.
Dental Sealants
The chewing surfaces of molars have deep grooves and fissures that can trap acidic plaque and food particles, which are hard to clean. Dental sealants are applied to newly erupted molars to keep debris out, protect natural teeth, and prevent decay. This protective shield ensures vulnerable areas are safe from damage and decay.
Why Opt for Sealants and Fluoride?
The American Dental Association (ADA) 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. The California Dental Association (CDA) emphasizes that sealants are an important part of a comprehensive preventive program, which also includes proper nutrition, optimal fluoride exposure, good oral hygiene, and regular dental exams.
Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
Enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth, but beneath it lie the dentin, pulp, and nerve. Dentin supports the tooth structure but doesn’t protect the nerve from hot, cold, acidic, or sticky foods. As enamel wears thin, teeth can become sensitive. Fluoride and sealants help maintain the enamel, keeping it strong and effective at protecting your sensitive dentin from discomfort.
Prevent and Reverse Decay
Thin or worn enamel can continue to decay, leading to cavities. In addition to tooth sensitivity, exposed dentin increases the risk of infection, which can be extremely painful and may require a root canal to save the tooth. Fluoride treatments help rebuild enamel, while sealants protect vulnerable areas from plaque buildup, preventing further decay and strengthening teeth.
Save Money in the Long Run
Investing in fluoride and sealants now can save you significantly in the future. These affordable treatments help prevent the need for more expensive procedures that may arise if tooth decay progresses untreated. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
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 the eruption of a new molar or if the dentist identifies a vulnerable area on the biting surface of a tooth.
Fluoride Treatment
The fluoride treatment we use is stronger than over-the-counter options because it is professionally administered in our office. The most common fluoride treatment involves foam or gel applied in trays that fit over the upper and lower teeth. It only takes a few minutes to apply at the end of the teeth cleaning. After the treatment, we recommend that the patient avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes to maximize the benefits.
Dental Sealant Application
Dental sealants are quick, easy, and completely painless to apply. No drilling or freezing is required. First, the dentist will clean and dry the tooth, then apply a mild acidic gel to slightly roughen the surface, ensuring a strong bond. After rinsing off the gel and drying the tooth again, the dentist will apply the sealant into the grooves of the tooth. A special blue light is used to harden the sealant. Once the procedure is complete, your child’s 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 allows the fluoride to fully absorb into the tooth enamel and provide maximum benefits.
Yes, fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in some drinking water sources. It became popular when it was noticed that people living near fluoridated water sources had less tooth decay. Fluoride is now added to many water supplies and dental care products. It has safely been used for generations to help prevent dental decay.
Dental sealant is applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to act as a protective barrier. It shields the grooves and fissures of teeth, preventing food particles and plaque from building up and causing decay.
Dental sealants can last up to 10 years with proper oral hygiene and regular checkups. To keep them in good condition, brush and floss regularly, and avoid acidic foods and drinks, especially before bedtime. If a sealant becomes chipped or worn, your dentist can easily repair it.
Fluoride treatment usually takes just a few minutes to apply at the end of your routine cleaning.
No, dental sealants are clear or white and blend naturally with the teeth, making them virtually invisible.
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