Another tool in our dental box of preventive services to help your child minimize their risk for dental cavities is the application of fluoride to help protect the enamel surfaces of your child’s teeth. Fluoride offers a resistance to the acids and sugars that are trying to attack the outer layer of your teeth and cause decay.

This protective gel is applied in the office and it is typically done immediately after a dental cleaning. The surfaces of the teeth are clean and ready to accept an uptake of fluoride into the outer layer of the enamel. Similar to how you can use a fluoride gel at home or a fluoride toothpaste when you brush, this gel is a higher concentration, and when applied immediately after polishing the teeth, the surfaces are open and exposed and readily uptake the fluoride. This is why we usually suggest waiting 30-60 minutes after applying the gel to eat or brush your teeth.

Fluoride can be applied in a number of ways. We can use a thicker fluoride gel that is applied via a swab onto the teeth. We can use a tray that holds the foamy fluoride gel in close proximity to the teeth for about 3 minutes. Or finally, we have a fluoride varnish that can be applied and hardens onto the teeth quickly.

In addition to making the tooth more resistant to cavities, fluoride can also help to repair small areas of decay and potentially reverse the decay process.

Any of these methods, when combined with sealants and good oral home care techniques, can give your child a great start in their oral health journey! Our staff at Coastal Pediatric Dentistry will be happy to go over your options and discuss the benefits of the various treatments available to your child.