Healthy gums and teeth are important to your child’s overall health. This is why here we will talk with you about good dental habits even before your child’s first tooth appears.
Once your child has a tooth, we recommend that your child receive fluoride varnish treatments in the dental clinic to help prevent tooth decay. This can be done 2 to 4 times per year. The number of treatments depends on how much pron is your child to get a cavity.
What is Fluoride Varnish?
Professionally applied Fluoride varnish is efficacious in prevent tooth decay, slow it down, or stop it from getting worse. Fluoride varnish is made with fluoride, a mineral that can strengthen tooth enamel (outer coating on teeth). The most commonly used agents for professionally-applied fluoride treatments are five percent sodium fluoride varnish (NaFV; 22,500 ppm F) and 1.23 percent acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF; 12,300 ppm F).
Keep in mind that fluoride varnish treatments cannot completely prevent cavities. Fluoride varnish treatments can best help prevent decay when a child is also brushing using the right amount of toothpaste with fluoride, flossing regularly, getting regular dental care, and eating a healthy diet.
Is Fluoride Varnish Safe?
Fluoride varnish is absolutely safe and used by dentists and doctors all over the world to help prevent tooth decay in children. Only a small amount is used, and hardly any fluoride is swallowed. It is quickly applied and hardens. Then it is brushed off after 4 to 12 hours.
Some brands of fluoride varnish make teeth look yellow. Other brands make teeth look dull. However, the color of your child’s teeth will return to normal after the fluoride varnish is brushed off. Most children like the taste.
How is Fluoride Varnish Put on the Teeth?
Fluoride varnish is painted on the top and sides of each tooth with a small brush. It is sticky but hardens once it comes in contact with saliva. Your child may feel the hardened varnish with his tongue but will not be able to lick the varnish off.
It does not hurt when the varnish is applied. However, young children may still cry before or during the procedure. Fortunately, brushing on the varnish takes only a few minutes. Also, applying the varnish may be easier when a child is crying because his mouth will be slightly open.
You may be asked to hold your child in your lap while you are placed knee-to-knee with the person applying the varnish.
How Do I Care for My Child’s Teeth After Fluoride Varnish is Applied?
It is recommended that all infants receive oral health risk assessments by 6 months of age. Infants at higher risk of early dental caries should be referred to a dentist as early as 6 months of age and no later than 6 months after the first tooth erupts or 12 months of age (whichever comes first) for his/her first dental check up.
