Protecting Your Teeth from the Start
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatments are especially beneficial for children as their adult teeth emerge. It strengthens enamel through remineralization, protecting against tooth decay. Fluoride helps reverse damage caused by everyday acids from plaque and food, making teeth more resistant to decay and keeping your child’s smile healthy.
Dental Sealants
Molars have deep grooves that trap food and plaque, making them difficult to clean. Applying dental sealants when children get new molars helps protect these teeth by sealing out debris and preventing decay. Sealants act as a barrier, safeguarding vulnerable areas and preserving your child’s smile.
Why opt for sealants and fluoride?
Sealants and fluoride are highly recommended by the Canadian Dental Association for their effectiveness in protecting your teeth. Sealants act as a shield, preventing cavities, especially when combined with fluoride, which strengthens enamel. Along with regular check-ups, good oral hygiene, and a balanced diet, sealants and fluoride provide an easy, effective way to keep your smile healthy and strong by preventing tooth decay.
Reduce tooth sensitivity
Enamel is the protective outer layer of your tooth, but beneath it lies dentin, pulp, and nerves. While dentin helps maintain tooth strength, it doesn’t shield the nerve from hot, cold, or acidic foods. When enamel wears down, teeth become sensitive. Fluoride and sealants help strengthen enamel, protecting the dentin and reducing sensitivity, so your teeth stay comfortable.
Prevent and reverse decay
Worn-down enamel can lead to decay and cavities, increasing sensitivity and the risk of painful infections that may require root canal treatment. Fluoride treatments help rebuild and strengthen enamel, while sealants offer extra protection against plaque. Together, they prevent further decay and keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Save money in the long run
Prevention now can save you significant costs later. Fluoride treatments and sealants are affordable options that protect your teeth from decay, reducing the need for expensive dental procedures down the road. Investing in these preventive treatments helps you avoid costly and uncomfortable dental work in the future, benefiting both your teeth and your wallet.
The fluoridation and sealant process
Fluoride treatments are typically part of your child’s annual teeth cleaning and exam, helping to strengthen enamel and prevent decay. Sealants are applied as needed, often when a new molar erupts or if the dentist identifies a problem area on a tooth’s biting surface. Both treatments are quick, painless, and offer lasting protection for your child’s teeth.
Fluoride Treatment
The fluoride treatment we provide is stronger than over-the-counter options, as it’s applied by dental professionals in our office. Typically, it’s a foam or gel placed in trays for both the upper and lower teeth. The treatment takes just a few minutes at the end of your cleaning. Afterward, we recommend avoiding eating or drinking for about 30 minutes to maximize the fluoride’s effectiveness. This quick treatment helps strengthen teeth and protect them from decay.
Dental Sealant Application
Applying dental sealants is easy and completely painless—no drilling or freezing required. The dentist will first clean and dry your tooth, then apply a gentle acidic gel to roughen the surface, allowing the sealant to bond better. After a quick rinse and dry, the sealant is applied into the grooves of the tooth and hardened using a special blue light. Once complete, your bite will feel natural, providing an effective and comfortable way to protect your teeth from decay.
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 typically recommend waiting about 30 minutes before eating or drinking. This waiting period allows the fluoride to fully absorb into your tooth enamel, ensuring it can effectively strengthen your teeth and provide maximum protection.
Absolutely! Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, and small amounts are even found in some drinking water sources. Its benefits were first discovered when scientists observed that people living near fluoridated water had fewer cavities. Since then, fluoride has been added to drinking water in many areas and has become a crucial part of dental care. For generations, fluoride treatments have safely helped prevent tooth decay worldwide.
Dental sealants are applied to the biting surfaces of molars to serve as a protective shield, preventing decay in the deep grooves and crevices of your teeth. This extra layer of protection helps keep those hard-to-reach areas cavity-free.
With proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups, dental sealants can last up to 10 years. By maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding acidic foods and drinks, especially before bed, you can help prolong their effectiveness. If your sealants chip or wear down, your dentist or hygienist can easily repair them to keep your teeth protected.
You can eat or drink immediately after the dental sealant is applied, as the process is quick and the sealant hardens instantly under the blue light.
Yes, adults can also benefit from dental sealants, especially if they have deep grooves in their molars or are prone to tooth decay. Sealants can provide additional protection against cavities at any age.
