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Topical fluoride is a safe and effective treatment for the prevention of cavities. At your well visit, your child will receive an oral exam by the provider. Based on your response to screening questions and the results of the examination a decision will be made on fluoride treatment. The first application will be done that day. Your child will be scheduled for follow up applications every 3-6 months. It can be applied at routine visits but not if your child is here for a sick visit. You will be provided information on local dentists for more extensive dental care. Please review the article below.
After the fluoride varnish application your child should eat soft foods for the rest of the day, which will help the fluoride varnish stay on the teeth for longer. This will provide the best possible benefit. It is important that the golden varnish remains on the teeth overnight and it is recommended that you do not brush your child’s teeth on the night of application, but from the following morning brush your child’s teeth twice daily. Children who consume too much fluoride can develop white spots on their teeth. This is not tooth decay. The risk of developing white spots as a result of fluoride varnish is small and in the rare instances it occurs, it can easily be treated. Some children may be taking fluoride drops or tablets which should not be taken the day before, the day of, or the day after application. Fluoride supplements should continue as directed two days after the fluoride varnish application.Below you will find additional information on oral health:
Fluoride varnish is a topical fluoride used to prevent tooth decay. Fluoridated toothpaste is another type of topical fluoride. Both are used on the surface of teeth.
A small piece of gauze is used to clean and dry the teeth. The varnish is painted onto the front and back, top and bottom of the teeth with a tiny brush. It forms a sticky covering over the tooth and becomes hard as soon as saliva in the mouth touches it. It takes less than 2 minutes to varnish the teeth.
Some brands of fluoride varnish coat the teeth with a yellow film. Other brands are white and may make the teeth look dull. This is normal and does not hurt the teeth. When the varnish comes off the next morning when the teeth are brushed, the teeth will be white and shiny.
Fluoride in varnish enters the tooth enamel and makes the tooth hard. It prevents new cavities and slows down or stops decay from getting worse. If tooth decay is just starting, it repairs the tooth.
Your child does not have to wait to eat and drink. Food should be soft and not crunchy the rest of day. Do not brush or floss the teeth until the next morning.
Fluoride varnish is safe. It is used on babies from the time they have their first tooth. Because the varnish is painted onto teeth and only a very small amount is used, almost no fluoride is swallowed.
Fluoride varnish can be applied 4 times a year or every 3 months. Studies show that children who get fluoride varnish every 3 months have fewer cavities than those who get it less often or not at all.
Some children get more cavities than others. Talk to your doctor or dentist on what is best for your child. Even if your child gets fluoride from other sources, your doctor or dentist may still feel it best for your child to have fluoride varnish.
Very young children usually do not see a dentist unless there is a problem. Yet they will see a doctor 11 times for check-ups and shots by the time they are three. Dental health is an important part of the total health of your child. Because your doctor cares about your child’s health, looking at the teeth and applying fluoride varnish is another way to keep your child healthy.
Fluoride varnish is not used if there are noticeable sores in the mouth or on the gums. It is also not used if there is an allergy to one of the ingredients in the varnish or to pine nuts. If you have any questions, talk to your doctor or dentist.
