Protecting Your Teeth from the Very Start
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatments are particularly beneficial for children as their adult teeth emerge. This process strengthens teeth by promoting remineralization, which restores essential minerals to enamel that can be lost due to plaque acids and the foods we eat. By reinforcing enamel, fluoride not only stops but also reverses early signs of decay, making teeth more resilient to future damage.
Dental Sealants
Molars naturally have deep grooves and fissures that can trap food particles and plaque, making them harder to clean and more susceptible to decay. Dental sealants offer an effective solution. By sealing these vulnerable areas, especially when children get new molars, sealants create a protective barrier that shields teeth from harmful buildup, helping to maintain their natural strength and health.
Why Choose Sealants and Fluoride?
Endorsed by Dental Experts
The American Dental Association (ADA) and Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recommend the selective use of sealants for both primary and permanent teeth, based on a dentist’s evaluation. Sealants are a key part of a well-rounded preventive care plan, which also includes proper nutrition, optimal fluoride exposure, good oral hygiene, and routine dental checkups.
Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
Your enamel is the outermost layer of protection for your teeth. Beneath it lies the dentin, pulp, and nerve of the tooth. While dentin provides structural support, it doesn’t shield nerves from heat, cold, or sticky, acidic foods. Thin or worn enamel can leave teeth sensitive to these elements. Sealants and fluoride treatments help maintain strong enamel, providing a protective barrier to keep your dentin and nerves safe from sensitivity.
Prevent and Reverse Decay
When enamel weakens, decay can set in, eventually forming cavities. Beyond sensitivity, exposed dentin increases the risk of painful infections, which may lead to the need for treatments like root canals. Fluoride treatments rebuild enamel, while sealants block plaque buildup in vulnerable areas, preventing decay and enhancing overall tooth strength.
Save Money Over Time
Preventive care is an investment in your dental health. Fluoride treatments and sealants are cost-effective measures that reduce the likelihood of needing expensive restorative procedures in the future. Protecting your teeth now can save you from the financial and physical toll of more invasive treatments later.
The Fluoridation and Sealant Process
Fluoride treatments are often included in your child’s routine cleaning and exam annually, while sealants are applied when necessary, such as when a new molar erupts or if the dentist notices a vulnerable area on a tooth.
Fluoride Treatment
Administered by dental professionals, the fluoride treatment provided in our office is more concentrated than over-the-counter products. Typically, we apply fluoride in the form of foam or gel placed in upper and lower trays. The process takes only a few minutes at the end of your child’s cleaning appointment. To ensure the treatment is most effective, we recommend avoiding food or drinks for 30 minutes afterward to allow the fluoride to fully strengthen the enamel.
Dental Sealant Application
Applying sealants is a quick and painless procedure designed to protect the tooth’s biting surface from decay. The dentist begins by thoroughly cleaning and drying the tooth. A mild gel is then used to slightly roughen the tooth’s surface, creating a stronger bond for the sealant. After a brief rinse and another drying step, the sealant material is carefully applied into the grooves of the tooth. A special blue light hardens the sealant, ensuring it adheres properly. The result is a comfortable, natural bite with added protection against plaque and decay.
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
After fluoride treatment, your dentist or hygienist will recommend waiting 30 minutes before eating or drinking. This waiting period allows the fluoride to fully absorb into your tooth enamel, maximizing its ability to strengthen your teeth and protect against decay.
Absolutely! Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in small concentrations in some drinking water sources. Scientists first recognized fluoride’s benefits when they observed that people living near naturally fluoridated water had lower rates of tooth decay. Since then, fluoride has been added to public water supplies and incorporated into dental care routines around the world. Fluoride treatments have been safely and effectively preventing cavities for generations.
Dental sealant is a protective layer bonded to the biting surfaces of molars. Its primary purpose is to shield the deep grooves and fissures of teeth from plaque and decay, keeping those hard-to-clean areas safe and healthy.
With proper oral care, dental sealants can last up to 10 years. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are essential to maintain their effectiveness. To extend their lifespan, avoid acidic foods and drinks, particularly before bedtime. If a sealant becomes chipped or worn, it can be quickly and easily repaired by your dentist or hygienist.
Google Verified Patient Reviews
