Protecting Your Teeth from the Start
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatment is especially beneficial for children as their adult teeth begin to emerge. This treatment helps prevent cavities by strengthening tooth enamel through a process called remineralization. Everyday acids from plaque and food can deplete essential minerals from teeth, weakening enamel over time. Fluoride replenishes these minerals, making teeth more resistant to decay and helping to stop early signs of damage before they turn into cavities.
Dental Sealants
Molars have deep grooves and fissures where plaque and food particles can easily get trapped, making them more susceptible to cavities. Dental sealants create a protective barrier over these vulnerable areas, keeping bacteria and debris out. When applied early—especially as children’s new molars come in—sealants help preserve natural teeth and prevent decay, reducing the risk of cavities in the long run.
Why Choose Sealants and Fluoride?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the selective use of dental sealants based on a professional risk assessment. Similarly, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recognizes sealants as an essential part of a comprehensive preventive care plan—alongside good oral hygiene, optimal fluoride exposure, balanced nutrition, and regular dental checkups. Together, fluoride and sealants offer long-term protection against cavities, sensitivity, and costly dental treatments.
Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
Enamel is the outermost protective layer of a tooth, but beneath it lies dentin, which contains tiny tubules connected to the tooth’s nerve. Unlike enamel, dentin is sensitive to temperature changes, acids, and sticky foods. If enamel becomes thin or worn, teeth may become sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet foods. Fluoride treatments help remineralize enamel, keeping it strong, while sealants provide a barrier against potential irritants—helping to maintain a comfortable, pain-free smile.
Prevent and Even Reverse Decay
When enamel wears down, teeth become vulnerable to decay, which can eventually lead to cavities and even infections. Exposed dentin increases the risk of bacteria reaching the inner pulp of the tooth, which may require a root canal to save it. Fluoride helps restore and strengthen enamel, while sealants act as a protective shield over cavity-prone areas, significantly reducing the risk of decay.
Save Money in the Long Run
Preventive care today can save you from costly dental treatments down the road. Fluoride treatments and sealants are affordable and effective solutions for preventing cavities, reducing the need for fillings, crowns, or root canals. By investing in proactive dental care, you’re not just protecting your smile—you’re also saving on future dental expenses.
The Fluoride and Sealant Process
Fluoride treatments and sealants are simple, effective preventive measures that help protect teeth from decay. Fluoride treatments are typically included in your child’s routine dental cleaning and exam once a year, while sealants are applied as needed—usually when a new molar erupts or when the dentist identifies a cavity-prone area on the biting surface of a tooth.
Fluoride Treatment
The fluoride we use in-office is much stronger than over-the-counter products, providing maximum protection against decay. The most common fluoride treatment is applied as a foam or gel using upper and lower trays. This process takes only a few minutes at the end of a cleaning, but to ensure the best results, patients should avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes afterward.
Dental Sealant Application
Applying dental sealants is a quick, painless procedure that requires no drilling or numbing. The process is straightforward:
- The dentist thoroughly cleans and dries the tooth.
- A mild acidic gel is applied to roughen the surface slightly, ensuring a strong bond.
- After a few seconds, the gel is rinsed off, and the tooth is dried again.
- The sealant is carefully applied into the grooves of the tooth, sealing out plaque and bacteria.
- A special curing light hardens the sealant, creating a durable, protective barrier.
Once complete, your bite will still feel natural and comfortable, and your tooth will have an added layer of defense against cavities.
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 a fluoride treatment, your dentist or hygienist will recommend waiting 30 minutes before eating or drinking. This allows the fluoride to fully absorb into the enamel, strengthening your teeth and maximizing its protective benefits. Eating or drinking too soon can wash away the fluoride before it has time to do its job.
Absolutely! Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in certain water sources. Scientists first noticed its benefits when they observed that people living near fluoride-rich water had significantly lower rates of tooth decay. Since then, fluoride has been added to drinking water in many regions and is a key part of preventive dental care. For decades, fluoride treatments have been safely used in dental offices worldwide to help prevent cavities and strengthen enamel.
Dental sealants are applied to the biting surfaces of molars, forming a protective barrier over the deep grooves and fissures where food particles and bacteria can get trapped. This helps prevent cavities and decay, especially in children as their permanent teeth come in.
With proper oral hygiene and routine dental checkups, sealants can last up to 10 years. To ensure they remain effective:
- Brush and floss regularly to keep teeth clean.
- Limit acidic foods and drinks, especially before bed.
- Check with your dentist during regular visits—if a sealant chips or wears down, it can be easily repaired or replaced
Google Verified Patient Reviews
