Protecting Your Teeth from the Very Start
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatments are highly effective for children, especially as their permanent teeth begin to emerge. This treatment strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities through a process known as remineralization. Tooth enamel can be weakened by acids from plaque and certain foods, which strip away essential minerals. Fluoride treatments help to reverse this damage, reinforcing the enamel and enhancing its resistance to decay.
Dental Sealants
Molars have many grooves and crevices on their chewing surfaces that can easily trap food particles and plaque, making them difficult to clean. When children’s molars come in, applying dental sealants can protect these vulnerable areas. Dental sealants create a barrier that shields the teeth from harmful substances, helping to prevent decay and maintain healthy teeth.
Why Opt for Sealants and Fluoride?
According to the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), sealants are a crucial part of a broad preventive approach that should include regular dental visits, effective oral hygiene, adequate fluoride exposure, and proper nutritional guidance. The CDA supports the targeted application of sealants on both primary and permanent teeth based on a dentist’s risk assessment and diagnosis.
Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
Enamel is the outer layer of a tooth, which protects the inner dentin, pulp, and nerve. Although dentin provides structural support, it cannot shield the nerve from temperature extremes or acidic and sticky foods. When enamel thins and wears down, it can lead to increased tooth sensitivity. Maintaining strong enamel with fluoride and sealants ensures continued protection of the sensitive dentin from external elements.
Prevent and Reverse Decay
If enamel wears away, it can continue to deteriorate, potentially leading to cavities. This not only increases tooth sensitivity but also raises the risk of infection, which can be severe and may necessitate a root canal. Using fluoride treatments to rebuild enamel and applying sealants to protect vulnerable areas from plaque can help prevent decay and fortify the teeth.
Save Money in the Long Run
Proactively using fluoride and sealants can be more cost-effective than addressing advanced decay later. These preventive measures are relatively inexpensive compared to the higher costs of treating significant tooth decay and its complications. Investing in these treatments now can help you avoid more extensive and costly dental procedures in the future.
The Fluoridation and Sealant Process
Typically, fluoride treatments are given once a year as part of your child’s regular dental visit and cleaning. Sealants are applied when necessary, usually after a new molar emerges or if the dentist identifies an area on the tooth’s surface that requires protection.
Fluoride Treatment
Our office uses a professional-grade fluoride treatment that is more potent than what’s available in stores. It typically involves applying foam or gel in trays for both the upper and lower teeth. The application only takes a few minutes after your cleaning, and for best results, we recommend avoiding food and drinks for 30 minutes afterward.
Dental Sealant Application
Applying dental sealants is a straightforward, painless process that doesn’t require any drilling or numbing. The procedure begins with cleaning and drying the tooth. A gentle acidic solution is then used to roughen the surface for better adhesion. After rinsing and drying the tooth again, the sealant is applied into the tooth’s grooves and set with a special blue light. The result is a protective layer that feels 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
To ensure the fluoride has the best effect, it’s important to avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after your treatment. This allows the fluoride to fully bond with your enamel and maximize its protective benefits.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance found in certain water sources. Its role in reducing tooth decay became evident when studies showed that people with access to fluoridated water had fewer cavities. This led to the widespread addition of fluoride to drinking water and dental products. Fluoride has been used safely for many years globally to help prevent dental issues.
Dental sealants are applied to the surfaces of molars to form a protective barrier. This coating covers the deep crevices and ridges in the teeth, preventing the buildup of plaque and food that can lead to cavities.
With proper care and regular dental check-ups, sealants can last as long as 10 years. Maintaining good brushing and flossing habits and avoiding acidic foods and drinks, particularly before bedtime, can help extend their effectiveness. If a sealant becomes damaged, it can be quickly fixed by a dental professional.
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