Fluoride Varnish

Good dental health and cavity prevention should begin as soon as a child develops a tooth and should be maintained throughout life. Healthy teeth and gums contribute to your overall health, and this is true for infants, children, and adults. Our pediatric and general dentists at Full Smile Dental offer fluoride varnish treatment at our offices in Dumas, Canyon, Amarillo, Farwell, and Dalhart, TX. 

Our specialists provide fluoride varnish treatment to patients of all ages. Your child should see a dentist for the first time when a tooth first erupts or when the child is a year old, whichever happens first. By seeing a dentist early, the child can receive necessary dental care and early cavity prevention. If your child has baby teeth but has not been to a dentist, we encourage you to contact one of our offices for a consultation. 

What Is Fluoride Varnish? 

Fluoride varnish treatment prevents tooth decay from occurring or stops it from getting worse. Fluoride is a natural mineral that can strengthen tooth enamel. Healthy enamel is more effective in fighting off bacteria that can harm the teeth and gums. 

When bacteria builds up on teeth, sticky plaque forms that erodes teeth and gum tissue. This is called a cavity, and if the plaque breaks through the enamel, it can infect the nerves and blood vessels at the tooth’s core. In addition to helping your child develop a good oral hygiene routine, fluoride varnish acts as an additional method of protection against cavities and tooth decay. 

As an adult, you can benefit from fluoride treatment if you are at a higher risk of developing cavities. Excessive drug or alcohol use, eating disorders, poor oral hygiene, poor diet, dry mouth, or weakened enamel can contribute to cavities. Fluoride varnish treatment can reduce the risk of tooth decay and help protect your oral health.

Benefits of Fluoride Varnish Treatment 

The main benefit of this treatment is that it reduces the risk of tooth decay and stops existing decay from worsening. Fluoride varnish offers many other benefits, including: 

• It is safe and used by dentists around the world
• A small amount of fluoride is used during treatment, and very little if any is swallowed 
• The earlier a child is exposed to fluoride, the less likely they are to develop cavities
• It does not cause discoloration or damage to the teeth
• Fluoride varnish will last for several months; your dentist will recommend varnish treatment as often as necessary for your individual oral health needs

What Happens During Fluoride Varnish Treatment? 

When you or your family visit Full Smile Dental, one of our skilled dentists will perform an oral examination to determine if fluoride varnish is right for you or your child. 

When an infant undergoes this treatment, we may ask you to hold the baby on your lap and sit knee-to-knee with your dental professional while the fluoride is applied. The fluoride is applied with a swab, brush, tray, or in a mouthwash. It takes only a few minutes to apply, and your dentist will apply it to the top and sides of every tooth. No anesthesia is required, and it will not cause discomfort to the child. 

As an adult receiving fluoride varnish, you will relax comfortably in a dental chair while your dentist applies the fluoride using one of the methods above. We may ask you not to eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after treatment so the fluoride can harden. Then, when you brush your teeth 4–6 hours later, you will brush the varnish off. The fluoride will have been absorbed into the enamel and will help protect against cavities for several months.