Fluoride Treatments & Sealants
One of the ways that dentists help patients maintain healthy teeth and gums is through fluoride treatments and dental sealants. At Keep Smiling Dental, we offer both services to patients – pediatric patients and adult patients – who want to take care of their teeth and avoid cavities. Our fluoride treatments and dental sealants can help you prevent cavities and tooth decay.
Fluoride Treatments
When you visit the dentist for an examination and dental cleaning, the dentist may recommend fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can help reverse early decay and remineralize your teeth.
What Is Fluoride Treatment?
A fluoride treatment is the application of fluoride in a form like a gel, varnish, or a foam. Fluoride treatments are often administered during the course of a regular dental cleaning and examination. The dentist may recommend fluoride treatment every time you visit, or they may recommend fluoride treatment as needed.
Who Needs Fluoride Treatment?
Typically, dentists recommend fluoride treatments to pediatric patients. This is typical up to about 16 years old. Adults can get fluoride treatments too, but the dentist may only recommend fluoride treatment under certain conditions. If you’re at risk of tooth decay, if you have dry mouth or gum disease, or if you have a history of tooth decay, the dentist may recommend fluoride treatment.
When to Get Fluoride Treatment
If you need it, your dentist will likely recommend fluoride treatment during your visit for a dental exam and cleaning. You do not need to make a special appointment to see the dentist for this kind of treatment unless the dentist recommends it.
What to Expect
During the fluoride treatment, the dental professional will apply fluoride to your teeth, either in a gel, varnish, or a foam. The dentist may paint your teeth with fluoride, or they may use trays to hold the fluoride on your teeth. Fluoride treatments are relatively quick. Your dentist may let you pick the flavor of the fluoride, depending on whether they have multiple flavors available.
Dental Sealants
If you’re at high risk of getting cavities, your dentist may recommend dental sealants. This is a commonly used tool to help protect pediatric patients from tooth decay.
What Is A Dental Sealant?
A dental sealant is a protective coating that the dentist can paint on your teeth to protect them from bacteria. Dental sealants are typically painted on the molars. Sealants can last several years. When applied to the teeth, sealants significantly reduce the chances of tooth decay and cavities.
Dental sealants don’t eliminate the need to brush your teeth, and even if you have dental sealants, you should still see the dentist every six months. Dental sealants are an added layer of protection for your teeth.
Who Needs Dental Sealants?
Dentists often recommend dental sealants for patients who are at high risk of tooth decay and cavities. Young children often get dental sealants for this reason, but older kids and adults can get dental sealants as well.
If you have a medical condition or are taking medication that could put you at risk of cavities, if you have dry mouth, or if you frequently get cavities for any other reason, your dentist may recommend dental sealants. Dental sealants last for several years, so once dental sealants have been applied, the dentist may recommend replacing dental sealants periodically.
What to Expect
To apply dental sealants, the dentist will follow this procedure:
- The dentist will clean and dry your teeth.
- The dentist will apply an acid solution to your teeth to etch the surface of the tooth.
- The dentist will rinse and dry your teeth again.
- The dentist will apply dental sealants to your teeth.
- The dentist will cure the sealant with a special light.
Need Dental Sealants or Fluoride Treatment? Call Your Dentist in Beavercreek, OH
Do you think you’re a good candidate for dental sealants or fluoride treatment in Beavercreek, OH? If so, the professionals at Keep Smiling Dental can help. Call your dentist in Beavercreek, OH, today to make an appointment and get started with this type of treatment.
