Fluoride Varnish
Fluoride treatment is an effective way to strengthen the enamel of your teeth and help prevent cavities. Dr. Michelle Mendoza at Lake Pointe Dental recommends fluoride varnish for children and adults to help them have beautiful and health smiles. Your oral health can be improved with regular fluoride varnish treatments. Studies have shown that dental health for kids is greatly improved with the application of fluoride varnish at least three times per year. Children that received fluoride varnish treatments had fewer cavities than children that did not receive the treatments.
What is Fluoride Varnish?
Fluoride varnish is applied to the surface of teeth and is a gel containing fluoride. It is applied to the teeth and left on overnight. Some types of varnish will give the teeth a yellow appearance, and some may make your teeth look dull. This affect goes away once your brush your teeth and is nothing to be concerned about.
Fluoride Varnish Treatment for Children
Dr. Mendoza recommends a fluoride varnish treatment every three months for children to help prevent cavities and strengthen their teeth. This procedure is safe for even young children, so you can start this preventative treatment as soon as their teeth start coming in. Very little varnish is used, and almost none is swallowed making this procedure safe for even very young children. You can start your children’s treatments as soon as their teeth start to appear.
How Does Fluoride Varnish Work?
The fluoride in the varnish is absorbed into the enamel of your teeth and acts to make it stronger. This helps prevent cavities and can be an effective preventative treatment for children and adults. It can also slow down damage, and help repair minor damage to the tooth enamel.
At your appointment your teeth will be cleaned with a soft cloth. Next the fluoride gel is brushed onto your teeth and left on overnight. It only takes a few minutes to apply the gel, and once it mixes with the saliva in your mouth it hardens. You don’t have to wait to eat or drink after a treatment and can resume your normal activities right after your appointment.
Benefits of Fluoride Varnish
Even if you have fluoride in your drinking water or use fluoride toothpaste you should still ask your doctor about a varnish treatment. Dental health is important, and for children and adults this treatment will help to strengthen the teeth, prevent cavities, repair minor damage, and slow down any damage to your teeth’s enamel. Cavities start when there is a small breach in the tooth enamel and the enamel on your teeth is what protects them, and a fluoride varnish is one more step to achieving and maintaining a health smile for your entire family.
Contact us today and ask about fluoride varnish. Dr. Mendoza and the staff at Lake Pointe Dental want you to have a healthy and beautiful smile. We have been serving the entire Austin area for many years, and we look forward to serving you.
