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 from the food we eat can wear down tooth enamel by sapping teeth of certain 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 plenty of grooves and fissures that can easily trap acidic plaque or food particles which may be difficult to clean. When children get new molars, dental sealant can be used to keep gunk out, protect their natural teeth and prevent decay. Dental sealants provide a protective shield for those vulnerable areas.
Why opt for sealants and fluoride?
The American 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.
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 usually added on 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 recognizes a problem area on the biting surface of a tooth.
Fluoride treatment
The fluoride treatment we use is stronger than store-bought because it is administered by medical professionals in our office. Our most common fluoride treatment comes in the form of foam or gel in an upper and lower tray. Fluoride only takes a few minutes to apply at the end of your teeth cleaning. We will ask that the patient avoids eating or drinking for 30 minutes after treatment for maximum benefits.
Dental Sealant application
Dental sealants are very easy to apply and completely painless. There is no drilling required and you won’t need freezing. The dentist will carefully clean and dry the tooth. A mild acidic gel will be applied to the tooth to make the surface a little rough for the strongest bond. The dentist will rinse the gel off after a few seconds, dry the tooth again and then press and apply sealant into the grooves of the tooth. A special blue light is used to cure the sealant. Your bite should still feel natural and comfortable when it’s done.
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
