Fluoride is applied to every tooth to repair enamel. Sealants are only useful for the back teeth (premolars and molars) since they can fill in those grooves.
Fluoride Treatments and Sealants Overview
Fluoride is an amazing mineral that has been proven to repair tooth enamel and to reduce the risk of tooth decay. It’s present in our water, food, and toothpaste, but dentists use an additional topical fluoride treatment to provide even extra protection. A sealant is a thin, white plastic coating that we apply to the surfaces of the tooth. It acts as a barrier to keep food and bacteria from settling in the grooves and causing tooth decay.
What It Does
Fluoride and sealants help prevent:
Tooth decay
Cavities
Gum disease
Plaque buildup
How Fluoride Treatments and Sealants Work
After a thorough cleaning, we apply fluoride and sealants onto your child’s teeth at the end of the visit. This ensures they adhere to a nice, clean surface and no food or plaque is stuck underneath.
What to Expect
For fluoride, your child will likely feel the sticky varnish on their teeth, but they can’t lick it off. Generally, they will have to wait 30 minutes before they can eat for maximum fluoride absorption.
For sealants, we cover the tooth’s enamel with the sealant and then cure it with an LED light to harden it to your child’s tooth. Your child can eat, drink, and return to school immediately after receiving the sealant.
The Best Sealant and Fluoride Treatment in Gainesville
A Fun, Kid-Friendly Office
We have prizes and toys available for kids to use so they look forward to coming into our office.
Gentle and Compassionate Care
We take special care in making you and your child feel comfortable.
Experienced Specialists
With our focus in pediatric dentistry, our specialists have undergone additional years of training just to serve you and your kids better.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fluoride and Sealants
Fluoride and sealants do not hurt at all. Your child might be able to feel the fluoride and sealant, and fluoride can leave a bad taste in the mouth, but they are not painful or harmful.
Sealants can be used once your child’s premolars and molars grow in, for either baby or adult teeth. Fluoride can be applied to your teeth as soon as your child’s teeth first erupt!
Join Our Cavity-Free Club!
If your kid is cavity-free when they come into our office, they win a special prize!