Protecting Your Teeth from the Very Start
Fluoride Treatment
Children, in particular, benefit from fluoride treatment. As adult teeth come in, fluoride treatments help combat tooth decay through a process called remineralization. Acids from plaque and the food we eat can wear down tooth enamel by stripping teeth of essential minerals. Fluoride treatment stops and reverses this process, making tooth enamel stronger and more resistant to decay.
Dental Sealants
The biting surfaces of molars have grooves and fissures that can easily trap acidic plaque or food particles, which may be difficult to clean. When children get new molars, dental sealants can be applied to keep harmful particles 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 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 important component of a comprehensive preventive program, which includes nutritional counselling, optimal fluoride exposure, good oral hygiene, and regular dental examinations. We offer both of these here at our Dundas dental office.
Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
Enamel is the outermost layer of a tooth. Beneath the enamel, a tooth consists of dentin, pulp, and nerve. Dentin supports the tooth structure but cannot protect the nerve from hot, cold, or acidic and sticky foods. If enamel becomes thin and worn, teeth will become sensitive. Fluoride and sealants help maintain enamel in top condition, allowing it to continue protecting sensitive dentin from harmful factors.
Prevent and Reverse Decay
Worn enamel can continue to decay until a cavity forms. In addition to causing tooth sensitivity, exposed dentin increases the risk of infection, which can be very painful and may require a root canal to save the tooth. Rebuilding enamel with fluoride treatment and protecting problem areas from plaque build up helps prevent decay and even strengthens teeth.
Save Money in the Long Run
An ounce of prevention today is worth a pound of cure tomorrow. Fluoride and sealants are relatively inexpensive treatments that help 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 usually 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 versions because it is administered by dental professionals in our office. Our most common fluoride treatment comes in the form of foam or gel placed in an upper and lower tray. Fluoride only takes a few minutes to apply at the end of the teeth cleaning. We will ask that the patient avoids eating or drinking for 30 minutes after treatment to achieve the best results.
Dental Sealant Application
Dental sealants are easy to apply and completely painless. No drilling or freezing is required. The dentist will carefully clean and dry the tooth. A mild acidic gel will be applied to the tooth to make the surface rough for the strongest bond. The gel will be rinsed off after a few seconds, the tooth will be dried again, and then the dentist will apply the sealant into the grooves of the tooth. A special blue light is used to harden the sealant. Your bite will still feel natural and comfortable when the procedure is complete.
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 advise you to wait 30 minutes after fluoride treatment before eating or drinking. This waiting period allows the fluoride to absorb into your tooth enamel and work effectively.
Did you know that fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral? Small concentrations of fluoride are naturally present in some sources of drinking water. Scientists realized fluoride’s benefits when it was observed that people living near fluoridated water sources had less tooth decay. Since then, fluoride has been added to other sources of drinking water and dental care products. Fluoride treatment has safely prevented dental decay worldwide for generations.
Dental sealant is bonded to the biting surfaces of molars and acts as a shield, protecting 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 sealants become chipped or worn, our dental team can easily repair them.
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