Protecting Your Teeth from the Very Start
Fluoride Treatment
Children, in particular, benefit from fluoride treatment. As adult teeth emerge, fluoride treatments help combat tooth decay through a process called remineralization. Acids from plaque and food can erode tooth enamel by depleting essential minerals. Fluoride treatment halts and reverses this process, making tooth enamel stronger and more resistant to decay.
Dental Sealants
The biting surfaces of molars have numerous grooves and fissures that can easily trap acidic plaque or food particles, making them difficult to clean. When children get new molars, dental sealants can be applied to keep debris out, protect their natural teeth, and prevent decay. Dental sealants provide a protective shield for these vulnerable areas.
Why Opt for Sealants and Fluoride?
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) supports the appropriate and selective use of sealants for both primary and permanent teeth based on a risk assessment and diagnosis by a dentist. According to the CDA, sealants are an essential component of a comprehensive preventive program, which includes nutritional counseling, optimal fluoride exposure, good oral hygiene, and regular dental examinations.
Reduce tooth sensitivity
The enamel is just the outter-most layer of a tooth. Underneath the enamel, a tooth is made up of dentin, pulp and nerve. Dentin helps support the structure of your tooth but it can’t protect the nerve of the tooth from hot and cold or acid and sticky foods. If the enamel becomes thin and worn, teeth will become sensitive. Fluoride and sealants keep the enamel in tip-top condition so that it can continue to protect your sensitive dentin from the elements.
Prevent and reverse decay
Worn enamel can continue to decay until a cavity forms. In addition to causing tooth sensitivity, exposed dentin comes with the added risk of infection which can be extremely painful and may require a root canal to save the tooth. Rebuilding enamel with fluoride treatment and shielding problem areas from plaque build-up helps to prevent decay and even strengthens teeth.
Save money in the long run
An ounce of prevention now is worth a pound of cure tomorrow. Fluoride and sealants are a relatively inexpensive treatment and will prevent the need for more costly procedures that would be required if tooth decay is allowed to progress.
The Fluoridation and Sealant Process
Fluoride treatments are typically added to your child’s routine teeth cleaning and exam once a year. Sealants are applied as needed, usually 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 options because it is administered by medical professionals in our office. Our most common fluoride treatment comes in the form of foam or gel applied in upper and lower trays. This process only takes a few minutes at the end of your teeth cleaning. We ask that the patient avoids eating or drinking for 30 minutes after treatment to maximize the benefits.
Dental Sealant Application
Applying dental sealants is simple and completely painless. No drilling or freezing is required. The dentist will carefully clean and dry the tooth, then apply a mild acidic gel to make the surface slightly rough for a stronger bond. After a few seconds, the gel is rinsed off, the tooth is dried again, and the sealant is pressed into the grooves of the tooth. A special blue light is used to cure the sealant. Once done, your bite should still feel natural and comfortable.
Contact Us Today
Schedule an initial consultation and exam with us. During your consultation, we will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, soft tissues, and the shape and condition of your bite. We aim to understand how your entire mouth looks and functions. Before planning your treatment, we want to know all about the health and aesthetics of your smile, and most importantly, your goals so we can help you achieve them.
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 recommend waiting 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 is a naturally occurring mineral. Small concentrations of fluoride are found in some sources of drinking water. Scientists discovered its benefits when they noticed that people living near fluoridated water sources had less tooth decay. Since then, fluoride has been added to many drinking water supplies and incorporated into routine dental care regimens. Fluoride treatment has been safely preventing dental decay worldwide for generations.
Dental sealant is applied to the biting surfaces of molars, creating a protective shield that guards the vulnerable grooves and fissures of teeth from decay.
Dental sealants can last up to 10 years with proper oral hygiene and regular checkups. Be sure to brush and floss regularly and avoid acidic foods and drinks, especially before bed. If dental sealants become chipped or worn, a dentist or hygienist can easily repair them.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Fantastic Dental Service
Caring and Friendly
Amazing Invisalign Experience
Google Verified Patient Reviews
