Protecting Your Teeth from the Very Start
Fluoride Treatment
Children especially benefit from fluoride treatments. As adult teeth come in, fluoride helps fight tooth decay through a process known as remineralization. Acids from plaque and food can weaken tooth enamel by removing important minerals. Fluoride treatment prevents and even reverses this process, making enamel stronger and more resistant to decay.
Dental Sealants
The biting surfaces of molars often have grooves and fissures that easily trap acidic plaque or food particles, which are hard to clean. When children get new molars, dental sealants can help keep debris out, protect their teeth, and prevent decay. Dental sealants act as a protective shield for these vulnerable areas.
Why Opt for Sealants and Fluoride?
The American Dental Association supports the use of sealants on both primary and permanent teeth when recommended by a dentist based on a risk assessment. Sealants are an important part of a comprehensive preventive program that also includes nutritional guidance, optimal fluoride exposure, good oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups.
Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
The enamel is the outermost layer of a tooth. Beneath it, a tooth consists of dentin, pulp, and nerve. Dentin supports the tooth structure but doesn’t protect the nerve from hot, cold, or acidic foods. If the enamel thins and wears down, teeth can become sensitive. Fluoride and sealants keep enamel in top condition, helping protect sensitive dentin from temperature changes and acidic foods.
Prevent and Reverse Decay
Worn enamel continues to decay until a cavity forms. In addition to causing sensitivity, exposed dentin carries a higher risk of infection, which can be extremely painful and may require a root canal to save the tooth. Rebuilding enamel with fluoride treatments and protecting 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 later. Fluoride treatments and sealants are relatively inexpensive and prevent the need for more costly procedures that would be needed if tooth decay is allowed to progress.
The Fluoridation and Sealant Process
Fluoride treatments are usually added to your child’s routine cleaning and exam once a year. Sealants are applied as needed, typically after a new molar erupts or if a dentist identifies an issue on the biting surface of a tooth.
Fluoride Treatment
The fluoride treatment we use is stronger than what you’ll find in store bought products because it is administered by medical professionals in our office. The most common fluoride treatment we offer comes in the form of foam or gel placed in upper and lower trays. The fluoride only takes a few minutes to apply at the end of your cleaning. We will ask that the patient avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after the treatment for maximum benefit.
Dental Sealant Application
Dental sealants are easy to apply and completely painless. There is no drilling required, and there’s no need for 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. After rinsing the gel off, the dentist will dry the tooth again and apply the sealant to the grooves. A special blue light is used to cure the sealant. Once applied, 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 advise you to wait 30 minutes after fluoride treatment before eating or drinking. This waiting period allows the fluoride to absorb into your enamel and provide its full benefit.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral. Small amounts of fluoride are present in some sources of drinking water. The benefits of fluoride became clear when scientists noticed that people living near fluoridated water sources had less tooth decay. Since then, fluoride has been added to many water supplies and incorporated into routine dental care. Fluoride treatments have safely prevented tooth decay worldwide for generations.
Dental sealant is applied to the biting surfaces of molars to act as a shield, protecting the grooves and fissures 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 food and drinks, especially before bed. If sealants become chipped or worn, a dentist or hygienist can easily repair them.
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