Pediatric Fluoride Varnish Specialist in Frisco, TX

Fluoride varnish is a treatment that can be applied to children’s teeth as soon as the first tooth comes in. Proper dental habits and preventative dental care are vital for the long-term health of the teeth and gums to prevent cavities and other dental conditions later in life. Dental care starts even before the appearance of the first tooth to ensure that good and healthy habits are formed early in life.

Fluoride varnish is one method of preventative dental care that can prevent the future appearance of cavities and tooth decay. Despite this treatment being applied to the teeth, it can be performed by your child’s pediatrician, in their office. It can also be applied through a dentist if you have a pediatric dentist for your child already. Fluoride varnish is used to strengthen the tooth enamel through the application of fluoride, which is a mineral. When used in conjunction with brushing, flossing, and regular dental care, a fluoride varnish can help reduce the chances of children developing cavities.

Fluoride varnish is used around the world by dentists and doctors as a means of preventing tooth decay in children. It is used in small amounts, with a minimal amount ever getting swallowed by the child. It has been shown to be safe for children, even should they swallow a bit of it. It strengthens the outer layer of the tooth to help keep the teeth strong and healthy in conjunction with regular dental care.

Once applied to the teeth, the varnish will quickly harden. It is then brushed off at home anywhere from 4 to 12 hours after being applied. While the varnish may slightly change the appearance of the child’s teeth, they will go back to normal once the varnish has been brushed off at the end of the day, or whenever their next brushing is.

Fluoride varnish has been used by pediatric doctors and dentists for many years as a means to help protect young teeth from tooth decay and cavity development. While it won’t protect the teeth completely or indefinitely, when applied as part of the child’s regular dental care routine, it has been shown to lower the chances of cavities developing.

Fluoride varnish can be applied by either a pediatric dentist if your child has one, or through the pediatrician, if they haven’t yet been to the dentist. The varnish is painted onto the teeth, where it will quickly harden and create a protective coating. The fluoride is absorbed into the teeth to strengthen the enamel that covers the outer surface of all edges of the teeth. Depending on your child’s risk of developing cavities, the fluoride varnish can be applied anywhere from one to four times a year for maximum protection.

Fluoride varnish application is a quick and easy procedure performed in your pediatrician’s office. The pediatrician will use a small brush to apply the fluoride varnish to all visible and reachable surfaces of all teeth. The varnish will go on sticky but will harden up shortly after being applied. It will then stay on until the teeth it is brushed off later that day.

The application doesn’t hurt, and really can’t be felt, however, some kids may still cry or be scared of the procedure depending on their age. Luckily pediatricians are used to this type of reaction from their young patients and have methods of calming children to be able to get the fluoride varnish applied.

Every child’s dental care will be different, as will the frequency that they need to have a fluoride varnish applied. Depending on their diet, the number of teeth they have, their dental care routine, and their family history, they can have a fluoride varnish applied to the teeth anywhere from 1 to 4 times per year.

Our pediatrician will assess their cavity risk to determine the frequency to apply the varnish to get the most effective protection. The Pediatric Associates of Frisco TX offers fluoride varnish application to our young patients as part of their overall preventative health care. We serve patients from Frisco TX, Little Elm TX, The Colony TX, McKinney TX, Prosper TX, Aubrey TX, Oak Point TX, Lakewood Village TX, Plano TX, and Dallas TX. We are conveniently located at 9191 Kyser Way, Suite 500, Frisco, TX 75033.