Protecting Your Teeth From The Very Start
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatments are particularly beneficial for children. As their adult teeth develop, these treatments help prevent decay through remineralization. Acids from plaque and food can wear down your enamel by stealing essential minerals. Fluoride treatments step in to stop and reverse this damage, making your enamel stronger and more resistant to decay.
Dental Sealants
You know how the tops of molars are all groovy and easy for bits of food and plaque to get stuck in? That’s especially tricky for kids to clean when they get their new molars. That’s where dental sealants come in handy. They’re like a protective coating that keeps all that gunk out and helps prevent decay. It’s a simple way to guard those vulnerable areas and keep those new teeth healthy.
Why Choose Sealants and Fluoride?
Did you know the American Dental Association recommends sealants for both kids’ and adults’ teeth, based on what your dentist thinks is best for you? According to the Canadian Dental Association, sealants are a key part of keeping your mouth healthy. They’re just one piece of the puzzle, along with eating right, getting the right amount of fluoride, brushing and flossing regularly, and not missing those dental check-ups.
Reducing Tooth Sensitivity
Enamel is your tooth’s outer shield. Underneath, there’s dentin and the nerve-rich pulp. While dentin supports your tooth, it can’t protect against the discomfort from hot, cold, or acidic foods. If the enamel thins, your teeth may feel sensitive. Using fluoride and sealants helps keep your enamel strong and your teeth protected.
Preventing and Reversing Decay
Worn enamel can lead to cavities and sensitive teeth. It also increases the risk of infections that might require serious treatments like a root canal. Using fluoride can help rebuild your enamel, and sealants prevent plaque buildup. Together, they strengthen your teeth and help stop decay.
Save money in the long run
It’s true that a little prevention goes a long way. By choosing fluoride and sealants now, you’re opting for cost-effective treatments that can save you from pricey dental work in the future. These simple preventative measures can keep tooth decay at bay and help avoid costly procedures later.
The Fluoridation And Sealant Process
Fluoride treatments are an integral part of your child’s dental care, commonly included during their annual teeth cleaning and examination. This helps strengthen the teeth against decay. Sealants, on the other hand, are applied as specific needs arise, such as when a new molar erupts or when a dentist identifies a vulnerable area on the chewing surface of a tooth. Both treatments are proactive steps in maintaining dental health.
Fluoride Treatment
The fluoride treatment we offer here is a bit different from the stuff you find in stores—it’s stronger and administered by our skilled team during your visit. We usually use a foam or gel that goes into trays fitting over your upper and lower teeth. It’s a quick add-on at the end of your cleaning appointment. Just a heads-up: we’ll need you to hold off on eating or drinking for about 30 minutes afterward to let the fluoride do its magic.
Dental Sealant Application
Getting dental sealants is a breeze and totally pain-free. No drills or numbing needed! Here’s what happens: the dentist starts by giving your tooth a good clean and dry. Then, they apply a mild acidic gel to roughen up the tooth’s surface—this helps the sealant stick better. After a few seconds, they’ll rinse off the gel, dry the tooth again, and then carefully fill the grooves of your tooth with the sealant. To set everything in place, we use a special blue light. Don’t worry, your bite will feel just as natural and comfortable as before once we’re done.
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 your fluoride treatment, your dentist or hygienist will recommend holding off on eating or drinking for about 30 minutes. This pause gives the fluoride enough time to fully absorb into your tooth enamel, maximizing its effectiveness in strengthening your teeth.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in small amounts in many sources of drinking water. Researchers discovered its benefits after noticing that people living in areas with naturally fluoridated water had fewer cavities. Based on these findings, fluoride has been added to public water supplies and dental care products to help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride treatments have been used safely and effectively worldwide for generations to keep teeth healthy and strong.
Dental sealant is designed to protect your teeth, especially the molars. It’s applied directly to the biting surfaces of these back teeth. The sealant acts like a protective shield, covering the grooves and fissures where decay is most likely to start. By sealing these vulnerable areas, it helps prevent cavities from forming, keeping your teeth healthy and intact.
Dental sealants can keep your teeth protected for up to 10 years. Just remember to brush and floss regularly and see your dentist for check-ups. If you notice any chips or wear, your dentist can quickly fix them up so your sealants keep doing their job. Avoid too many acidic snacks, especially before bed, to help them last longer!
Mostly, sealants are put on molars and premolars because they have deep grooves that are tough to clean and easy to get cavities in. But if you have other teeth with grooves that might cause trouble, your dentist can put sealants on those too.
You might think fluoride treatments are just for kids, but adults can get in on the action too! They’re super helpful for anyone who’s prone to cavities, has dry mouth, or wears braces.