Protecting your teeth from the very start
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatments are especially beneficial for children. As their adult teeth come in, fluoride works to combat tooth decay through remineralization, a process that helps rebuild and strengthen enamel. This is crucial since acids from plaque and certain foods can strip away minerals from the teeth, wearing down the enamel. Fluoride treatment helps stop and reverse this damage, making teeth more resistant to decay.
Dental Sealants
Molars often have deep grooves and crevices that can trap food particles and plaque, making them hard to clean and more susceptible to decay. Applying a dental sealant when children get new molars creates a barrier that protects those vulnerable areas, keeping their natural teeth safe from cavities and decay.
Why Choose Sealants and Fluoride?
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recommends the thoughtful and selective use of sealants for both primary and permanent teeth, based on an individual risk assessment by a dentist. They highlight sealants as a key part of a comprehensive preventive program, alongside optimal fluoride exposure, balanced nutrition, good oral hygiene, and regular dental check-ups.
Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
Enamel is just the surface layer of your tooth, with dentin, pulp, and nerves underneath. While dentin supports tooth structure, it doesn’t shield the nerve from things like heat, cold, acidic, or sticky foods. When enamel gets thin or worn down, your teeth can become more sensitive. Sealants and fluoride help maintain strong enamel, keeping the underlying dentin protected and your teeth feeling comfortable.
Prevent and Reverse Decay
When enamel wears down, decay can progress until it forms a cavity. Alongside increased sensitivity, exposed dentin raises the risk of infection, which can be very painful and might even lead to the need for a root canal. Fluoride treatments help rebuild enamel, while sealants protect those vulnerable areas from plaque, reducing decay and keeping teeth strong.
Save Money in the Long Run
A little prevention today can save you a lot tomorrow. Fluoride treatments and sealants are cost-effective ways to avoid more expensive dental procedures down the road, as they help prevent tooth decay from advancing.
The Fluoridation and Sealant Process
Fluoride treatments are typically added to your child’s annual teeth cleaning and exam, while sealants are applied as needed, often after a new molar comes in or when a dentist spots a potential problem area on a tooth’s biting surface.
Fluoride Treatment
The fluoride treatment we provide is stronger than over-the-counter products since it’s administered by professionals in our office. It usually comes in the form of foam or gel, placed in upper and lower trays. Applied in just a few minutes at the end of a cleaning, we recommend that patients refrain from eating or drinking for 30 minutes afterward to maximize the benefits.
Dental Sealant Application
Applying dental sealants is quick, painless, and requires no drilling or freezing. The dentist begins by thoroughly cleaning and drying the tooth. A mild acidic gel is then applied to roughen the surface slightly, ensuring a strong bond. After rinsing and drying the tooth, the sealant is pressed into the grooves, and a special blue light is used to harden it. The result is a natural, comfortable bite with added protection against 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 fluoride treatment, it’s recommended to wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking. This allows the fluoride time to absorb into your tooth enamel for maximum benefit.
Yes, fluoride is actually a naturally occurring mineral. It’s found in small amounts in some drinking water sources. Scientists discovered its benefits when they noticed that communities with fluoride-rich water had less tooth decay. Since then, fluoride has been added to many water supplies and used in dental care worldwide, safely preventing tooth decay for generations.
Dental sealant is applied to the biting surfaces of molars to act as a protective barrier. It shields the grooves and crevices of teeth from decay and helps maintain oral health.
With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, dental sealants can last up to 10 years. To prolong their lifespan, brush and floss regularly, and avoid acidic food and drinks, especially before bedtime. If sealants chip or wear down, a dentist or hygienist can easily repair them.
Hear are some of the voices with great things to say about the way we do dental care!
Kids Love Wellesley Dental
Google Verified Patient Reviews
