Protecting Your Teeth From The Very Start
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatment is especially advantageous for children. As permanent teeth emerge, fluoride treatments aid in combating tooth decay through remineralization. Plaque and acidic foods can erode tooth enamel by depleting essential minerals. Fluoride treatment halts and reverses this process, fortifying tooth enamel and increasing resistance to decay.
Dental Sealants
Molars have lots of grooves and fissures that can easily trap plaque and food bits, which isn’t great for keeping them clean. But here’s where dental sealants come to the rescue! When kids get new molars, we can apply sealants to these vulnerable areas. It’s like putting up a shield to prevent buildup, protect those natural teeth, and keep decay at bay.
Why Opt For Sealants And Fluoride?
The Canadian Dental Association advocates for the judicious use of sealants on both baby and adult teeth, determined through a risk assessment and diagnosis conducted by a dentist. According to the CDA, sealants play a crucial role in a comprehensive preventive strategy, complementing nutritional guidance, optimal fluoride intake, effective oral hygiene practices, and routine dental check-ups.
Reduce tooth sensitivity
Enamel serves as the outer shield of a tooth. Beneath it lie layers of dentin, pulp, and nerves. While dentin provides structural support, it doesn’t shield the tooth’s nerve from temperature changes or acidic and sticky substances. When enamel wears thin, teeth become sensitive. Fluoride and sealants maintain enamel health, ensuring it can effectively safeguard the sensitive dentin from external factors.
Prevent and Reverse Decay
Deteriorated enamel can lead to ongoing decay, potentially resulting in cavity formation. Besides inducing tooth sensitivity, exposed dentin increases the likelihood of infection, which can be intensely painful and may necessitate a root canal procedure to preserve the tooth. Replenishing enamel through fluoride treatment and protecting vulnerable regions from plaque accumulation not only helps prevent decay but also reinforces tooth structure.
Save Money in the Long Run
Investing in prevention today saves significant expenses on treatment tomorrow. Fluoride and sealants represent cost-effective measures that preempt the necessity for more expensive interventions resulting from untreated tooth decay.
The Fluoride and Sealant Procedure
Fluoride treatments usually come as part of your child’s regular dental checkup, given about once a year. As for sealants, they’re applied as needed, often after a new molar comes in or if the dentist spots a problem area on a tooth’s biting surface.
Fluoride Treatment
Our fluoride treatment is more potent than over-the-counter options as it is administered by trained medical professionals in our clinic. Typically, we utilize foam or gel applied in custom upper and lower trays. The application process takes just a few minutes following your teeth cleaning. For optimal effectiveness, we recommend abstaining from eating or drinking for 30 minutes post-treatment.
Application of Dental Sealants
Applying dental sealants is a straightforward and painless process. It does not involve drilling or the need for anesthesia. The dentist begins by meticulously cleaning and drying the tooth. Subsequently, a mild acidic gel is applied to slightly roughen the tooth surface, ensuring the strongest bond possible. After a brief application, the gel is rinsed off, the tooth is dried again, and the sealant is carefully pressed into the tooth’s grooves. A special blue light is used to cure the sealant. Throughout the procedure, your bite should 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
Yes, both fluoride treatments and dental sealants are beneficial for adults as well. While they are commonly associated with pediatric dentistry, adults can also benefit from these preventive measures to protect their teeth from decay and sensitivity.
Fluoride treatments are typically recommended once a year during routine dental cleanings and exams. However, the frequency may vary depending on individual risk factors and the dentist’s assessment.
Dental sealants do not require any special care or maintenance beyond regular oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing. However, it’s essential to attend regular dental check-ups to ensure the sealants remain intact and effective.
No, dental sealants are applied only to the biting surfaces of the teeth and do not alter the feel of your bite or the appearance of your teeth. They are virtually invisible and provide a smooth surface for chewing while effectively sealing out bacteria and food particles.
Your dentist or hygienist may recommend waiting 30 minutes after fluoride treatment before eating or drinking. This brief pause allows the fluoride to fully absorb into your tooth enamel, enhancing its effectiveness in strengthening and protecting your teeth.
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