Healthy teeth and gums are essential to the overall health of your child. At Jonathan C. Wang DDS Inc. in Pleasanton, California, Dr. Wang recommends regular fluoride treatments for children to keep their teeth strong in order to prevent cavities and decay caused by the onslaught of acids in the mouth and produced by the oral bacteria.
What Is Fluoride Treatment for Children?
Fluoride treatment keeps tooth decay and cavities at bay. Fluoride is a mineral also found in drinking water. In dentistry, it is used in the form of a gel, paste, or varnish and applied on the surface of your child’s teeth to strengthen enamel.
How Can Fluoride Prevent Tooth Decay?
When children consume sugars, oral bacteria use them as fuel and release harmful acids. These acids gradually dissolve tooth enamel, especially in children who do not follow a proper oral care routine or have low saliva production. Recurring acid attacks can lead to tooth decay, cavities, and periodontal disease in children.
Fluoride guards tooth enamel against acid attacks and decreases the risk of tooth decay and cavities in children. Fluoride helps fight demineralization of the enamel which leads to cavities. Fluoride does this by supporting enamel remineralization..
Limiting the intake of sweets and sugary foods, regular brushing and flossing, and dental checkups at least twice a year can help supplement the benefits of fluoride and keep your child’s teeth strong and healthy.
Is Fluoride Treatment Safe for Children?
Fluoride treatment is safe for children, and the dentist performs it with the utmost care, using only a small amount of fluoride. Children of all ages can undergo this procedure without side effects while gleaning its benefits.
How Is Fluoride Treatment Performed?
Topical fluoride is available in many forms, including foam, mouthrinse or varnish. The most suitable option is chosen depending on your child’s age and readiness to cooperate.
Dr. Wang uses a small brush to apply fluoride foam to your child’s teeth. While your child keeps their mouth open for only one minute while allowing us to suction up their saliva. After one minute, the fluoride foam is suctioned out, and your child needs to refrain from rinsing, eating, or drinking for 30 minutes.
If Dr. Wang uses a fluoride varnish, it is applied with a brush. It is sticky and hardens quickly after it comes in contact with their saliva. The patient should refrain from drinking or eating for 30 minutes to 1 hour after placement of fluoride. After the allotted time period, the patient can eat, drink and or rinse their mouth.
Topical fluoride or varnish can be applied to the child’s tooth enamel during a regular dental visit. The procedure is quick and gentle.
Dr. Wang will determine whether the child needs adjunctive at-home fluoride treatment or at-home oral hygiene supplements after understanding their general health history, assessing their oral health, determining their current fluoride intake, and estimating the sugar content in the child’s diet.
Please call Dr. Wang at Jonathan C Wang DDS, inc. in Pleasanton, CA at (925) 399-6835 or request an appointment online.