Dentists apply fluoride treatments in the office. The dentist cleans the child’s teeth and then paints a fluoride varnish onto the teeth. The varnish feels sticky at first. Some children do not like the feel of the varnish on the teeth, but it dries in a few hours. The fluoride varnish acts as an anti-cavity barrier.
Fluoride varnishes harden on the teeth in about 30 minutes. The dentist will advise children not to eat or drink for a short period. After the varnish hardens, fluoride treatments will last around three to four months. The dentist can reapply the fluoride as the treatment wears off.
There is often some confusion as to what fluoride does. Fluoride is a common element. Children exposed to small amounts of fluoride tend to have fewer cavities. Fluoride mixes with the tooth enamel of growing teeth to strengthen the enamel. It will also help protect teeth from cavities after the enamel has formed by mixing with saliva and coating the teeth.
It is natural to have safety concerns about treatments. Many parents worry about what their children eat and drink. They may have concerns about the amount of fluoride exposure for their child. Some municipalities have fluoridated water. The amount of fluoride in treated water is very small. Dentists recommend fluoride toothpaste for children even if the local water has fluoride.
Even though baby teeth fall out, dentists want parents to know how important these teeth are. Cavities and tooth decay in baby teeth can cause a lot of pain for children. Protecting baby teeth promotes better oral health now and in the future. Permanent teeth are more likely to grow in properly. Losing baby teeth to dental decay can cause problems with chewing and eating.
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Parents who want to protect their children’s teeth have many options when it comes to fluoride. Many kinds of toothpaste on the market for both children and adults contain fluoride. The dentist’s office is a great option for getting regular fluoride treatments. Sometimes, dental programs at schools or public health facilities offer fluoride treatments for children and adults.
You should feel free to ask your pediatric dentist all of your fluoride-related questions. The many messages about fluoride and its use can be confusing. The pediatric dentist can talk to you about fluoride varnishes. You can ask for a demonstration of the right amount of toothpaste a child needs and how to properly supervise brushing.
Request an appointment or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at 703-763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.
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