Dental Fluoride Treatment in Roanoke
Cavities are the most common childhood illness today, but most of the time, they are completely preventable. One of the ways we can ensure children avoid cavities is to introduce fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral that can work to prevent cavities and keep the enamel of your child’s teeth strong.
Bacteria naturally live in your mouth and feed off of the sugars that come from the foods and beverages we ingest. This produces an acid that can eat away at the enamel of our teeth. When this happens, it leads to decay or cavities. Cavities can weaken our teeth, but they can also cause pain, tooth loss, and infection. Fluoride strengthens the enamel, making it more resistant to acid. Not only can fluoride help prevent cavities, but it can also help reverse the beginning stages of decay. Fluoride itself cannot repair cavities, but it can reverse the minor effects of the beginning stages of decay.
Fluoride works in two ways:
- When we ingest fluoride it incorporates into the structure of the developing teeth
- When it comes into contact with the surface of the teeth it forms a layer of protection
Most communities have fluoride in the public water system, ensuring additional protection for your child’s teeth. If you are unsure if your community has fluoride in the water system, you can call your local municipality to find out. Many bottled drinks of water will not have tap water added. If you do not believe your child receives enough fluoride, speak to our dentists about whether this may put your child at greater risk for cavities. You can purchase fluoridated water or special fluoride drops to place in your water. Water fluoridation has been estimated to reduce the risk of cavities by 20-40%.
Our Roanoke Dental Fluoride Treatment Experts Recommend Using Fluoride Toothpaste
We also recommend using fluoride toothpaste as soon as your child’s first tooth appears. In the beginning use only a smear of toothpaste over the tooth or teeth, until your child is able to successfully use and spit while brushing. Around the age of three, or when your child can spit properly, you can begin to use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when they brush.
For some children, we may recommend additional fluoride in the form of a fluoride treatment that our Roanoke pediatric dentists provide in our office. The treatment is quick and painless and consists of the dentist painting a thin layer of fluoride varnish over the surface of the teeth. This application takes no time at all, and we ensure it has a pleasant taste for your child. Your child should avoid eating or drinking for about 30 minutes after the treatment to ensure the varnish has time to set properly. It is a quick and painless way to help prevent cavities by ensuring your children’s enamel is strong. It can also work to reverse the effects of early decay if your child has any. Fluoride varnish can be applied two to four times a year, depending on your child’s susceptibility to decay.
FAQ’s
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral element compound that can help prevent tooth decay by strengthening the enamel of teeth, making it more resistant to acid and plaque build-up. Fluoride can also reverse the effects of the beginning stage of tooth decay by repairing the enamel of the teeth.
Fluoride Treatments For Kids?
Children should receive fluoride from the water they drink – fluoridated water can reduce the risk of tooth decay by 20-40%. Once the first tooth appears, children should begin to use fluoride toothpaste to safeguard against decay. Dentists may also recommend a fluoride varnish, which is a safe and easy way to protect against tooth decay.
What is The Fluoride Treatments Like?
Fluoride varnish is painted on the surface of the teeth by the dentist. It is a quick and easy procedure with huge benefits. The dentist will paint the surface of your children’s teeth with varnish, which may feel sticky and could be slightly colored. Once the fluoride is brushed off, your children’s teeth will look and feel normal again.
What Are The Benefits of Dental Fluoride?
Fluoride works in two ways – when it comes into contact with the surface of the teeth, it works to strengthen the enamel, making it more resistant to decay, and it can reverse the effects of minor decay. When ingested, fluoride incorporates itself into the developing structure of the teeth, making them strong and less likely to develop decay.
How Much is Too Much Fluoride?
Too much fluoride, a condition called fluorosis, can cause faint white streaks on your child’s teeth. These streaks are not damaging or painful, and may only be able to be noticed by a dentist. Drinking fluoridated water, using fluoride toothpaste, and seeing your dentist regularly can ensure your child’s smile stays healthy and strong and receives the correct amount of fluoride.
