Fluoride treatments and dental sealants keep cavities away

Sorry, cavities—you’re not welcome here! An important part of preventive dental care is protecting your child’s mouth from tooth decay, cavities, and other potential issues. Fluoride treatments and dental sealants are two effective methods we use to help protect your child’s pearly whites from future problems.

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Fluoride treatments

Topical fluoride treatments are typically recommended because fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and is scientifically proven to reduce the risk of cavities forming. Tooth decay is the most common dental issue that children face–so we do everything we can to put a stop to it.

At Southmoor Pediatric Dentistry, we use fluoride varnish because it’s easy to apply and highly effective. It also adheres to the teeth so little to none is ingested, making it safe for children of all ages (even infants).

Dental sealants

Dental sealants are also recommended for many children, particularly those with 6-year and 12-year permanent molars. A sealant is a thin, white plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surface of a tooth: the pit and groove-filled area where most cavities form (not so groovy!).

Sealants act as a barrier, protecting the tooth by “sealing out” plaque and preventing food from settling into the pits and grooves. Sealants are recommended shortly after your child’s permanent molars erupt, but some deeply grooved baby molars may need them as well.

What to expect

It’s well worth the effort to provide extra protection for your child’s teeth. Here’s what you and your child can expect during your Southmoor visit.

The feel of fluoride

Fluoride varnish is painted on the top and sides of each tooth with a small brush. It’s sticky but hardens as soon as it comes into contact with saliva. Your child may feel the varnish with their tongue, but they can’t lick it off.

Fluoride application

Fluoride treatment is pain-free, although young children may still cry. Thankfully, brushing on the varnish only takes a few minutes.

How you can help

You may be asked to hold your child in your lap and sit knee-to-knee with the care provider applying the varnish during their treatment.

Sealants are simple

We clean and dry the tooth that is being sealed, isolating it from any saliva with a small cotton roll. Then we apply an etching solution to the surface of the tooth to disinfect and prep it for the sealant. No anesthetic is needed for sealant placement.

Sealing the tooth

Once the etching solution is rinsed off, we paint on a thin bonding layer and then the sealant, covering the tooth’s enamel.

The curing process

We use an LED blue light to cure the sealant as it hardens and bonds to the tooth’s surface. The entire process only takes about one minute. Your child can eat, drink, and return to school immediately after.

Fluoride treatments and dental sealants keep cavities away