Sealants and Fluoride Treatments By Stephen Dowell, DDS on January 31, 2021

When someone has a toothache, begins experiencing increased tooth sensitivity, or suffers an oral injury, they head to the dentist. However, dental services are meant to do more than repair or correct dental damage. With routine dental services, many people are able to prevent dental problems and enjoy a strong, healthy, and attractive smile.

Ideally, professional dental care should start early. At Dowell Dental Group, serving Minerva, OH, Carrollton, OH, and Dover, OH, we offer a comprehensive range of pediatric dentistry services to preserve a child’s oral health. Sealants and fluoride treatments are two important preventive dental treatments offered to our pediatric patients.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens and helps repair tooth enamel so that it is more resistant to dental cavities, which are the most common dental problem among children. Fluoride is essential to a child’s oral health. Children can get fluoride through the foods they eat, or by drinking fluoridated water. When a child consumes a food or beverage containing fluoride, the mineral mixes with the child’s saliva and coats the teeth that way.

A fluoride treatment at our office offers a more direct and effective way to introduce this mineral to tooth enamel. After a routine dental cleaning, the dentist can apply a layer of fluoride directly to the teeth, either by brushing on a topical fluoride treatment, or by placing a gel or foam fluoride into mouth guards that are worn for a few minutes. 

Fluoride treatment is non-invasive and completely pain-free. Fluoride even comes in different flavors, so that children can choose one that suits their tastes. Treatment is complete in a matter of minutes. After fluoride treatment, patients are asked to refrain from eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes, so the fluoride can be absorbed by the tooth enamel.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are another important protective measure in the battle against dental cavities. Dental sealants are a thin coating applied to the grooves of the teeth to seal out food particles and bacteria, and prevent decay that leads to dental cavities. Dental sealants are usually applied to a patient’s molars, or the back teeth, which can be hard to reach and clean properly, especially for young children. 

Like fluoride treatments, dental sealant application is non-invasive and pain-free. After cleaning and drying the teeth, sealant material is applied directly, almost as if it is painted on. When the tooth is sufficiently coated, a dental light is used to harden the material in place. Dental sealants blend in seamlessly with the teeth and can provide cavity protection for five years or more.

Benefits of Preventive Pediatric Dentistry Treatments

Preventive pediatric dentistry treatments, like fluoride and sealants, benefit patients in a number of ways:

• They reduce the risk of dental cavities
• They prevent the need for more invasive and costly restorative dentistry treatments
• Treatments are fast, easy, and do not require any shots or drills
• They provide long-lasting protection

Contact Dowell Dental Group

Fluoride treatments and dental sealants protect the teeth to drastically minimize the risk of tooth decay and dental complications. If you’d like to learn more about these pediatric dental services, send a message to Dowell Dental Group online, or call us at (330) 868-5001.