Protecting Your Teeth from the Very Start
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatment is especially beneficial for children. As their adult teeth come in, fluoride strengthens enamel through a process called remineralization. This treatment helps combat tooth decay by replenishing essential minerals that acids from plaque and food can strip away. Fluoride not only stops this process but also makes enamel stronger and more resistant to future decay.
Dental Sealants
Molars have grooves and fissures on their biting surfaces that can trap acidic plaque and food particles, making them difficult to clean. Dental sealants act as a protective shield for these vulnerable areas. When children get new molars, sealants can prevent decay by keeping out debris and protecting their natural teeth.
Why Opt for Sealants and Fluoride?
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) supports the use of sealants for both primary and permanent teeth when determined necessary through a dentist’s risk assessment. Sealants are a vital part of a comprehensive preventive care plan, which also includes nutritional counselling, optimal fluoride exposure, good oral hygiene, and regular dental exams.
Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
The enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth, protecting the sensitive dentin, pulp, and nerve underneath. If enamel becomes thin or worn, teeth may become sensitive to hot, cold, acidic, or sticky foods. Fluoride treatments and sealants maintain and strengthen enamel, ensuring it can protect sensitive dentin and keep your teeth comfortable.
Prevent and Reverse Decay
Worn enamel can lead to decay and cavities, exposing dentin to the risk of infection. This can result in significant discomfort and potentially require a root canal to save the tooth. Fluoride rebuilds enamel and sealants shield problem areas from plaque, preventing decay and strengthening teeth.
Save Money in the Long Run
Preventive treatments like fluoride and sealants are cost-effective solutions that reduce the need for expensive procedures later. Investing in prevention now helps avoid the higher costs of treating advanced decay or tooth damage in the future.
The Fluoridation and Sealant Process
Fluoride treatments are usually added to your child’s routine teeth cleaning and exam once a year. Sealants are applied as needed, typically after a new molar erupts or if the dentist identifies a problem area on the biting surface of a tooth.
Fluoride Treatment
The fluoride treatment we use is stronger than store-bought products because it is administered by medical professionals in our office. Our most common fluoride treatment comes in the form of foam or gel, applied using an upper and lower tray. The application takes only a few minutes at the end of your teeth cleaning. To ensure maximum benefits, patients are asked to avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after treatment.
Dental Sealant Application
Dental sealants are quick to apply and completely painless. No drilling or freezing is required. The dentist will start by cleaning and drying the tooth. A mild acidic gel is then applied to make the surface slightly rough for a stronger bond. After a few seconds, the gel is rinsed off, and the tooth is dried again. The dentist will carefully press and apply the sealant into the grooves of the tooth. A special blue curing light is used to harden the sealant.
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 tooth enamel and effectively strengthen it.
Yes, fluoride treatment is safe. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in some sources of drinking water. Scientists first noticed its benefits when communities with fluoridated water had lower rates of tooth decay. Since then, fluoride has been added to water supplies and dental care products worldwide, safely preventing dental decay for generations.
Dental sealant is applied to the biting surfaces of molars to shield the grooves and fissures of teeth from plaque and food particles. It acts as a protective barrier to prevent decay in these vulnerable areas.
With proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, dental sealants can last up to 10 years. To maximize their longevity, brush and floss daily, and avoid acidic foods and drinks, especially before bed. If sealants become chipped or worn, your dentist or hygienist can easily repair them.
Google Verified Patient Reviews
