Fluoride treatments and dental sealants keep cavities away

Sorry, cavities—you’re not welcome here! An important part of preventive dental care is protecting your child’s mouth from tooth decay, cavities, and other potential issues. Fluoride treatments and dental sealants are two effective methods we use to help protect your child’s pearly whites from future problems.

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Fluoride treatments

Topical fluoride treatments are typically recommended because fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and is scientifically proven to reduce the risk of cavities forming. Tooth decay is the most common dental issue that children face–so we do everything we can to put a stop to it.

At Schenectady Pediatric Dentistry, we use fluoride varnish because it’s easy to apply and highly effective. It also adheres to the teeth so little to none is ingested, making it safe for children of all ages (even infants).

Dental sealants

Dental sealants are also recommended for many children, particularly those with 6-year and 12-year permanent molars. A sealant is a thin, white plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surface of a tooth: the pit and groove-filled area where most cavities form (not so groovy!). Sealants act as a barrier, protecting the tooth by “sealing out” plaque and preventing food from settling into the pits and grooves. Sealants are recommended shortly after your child’s permanent molars erupt, but some deeply grooved baby molars may need them as well.

What to expect

It’s well worth the effort to provide extra protection for your child’s teeth. Here’s what you and your child can expect during your visit.

The feel of fluoride

Fluoride varnish is painted on the top and sides of each tooth with a small brush. It’s sticky but hardens as soon as it comes into contact with saliva. Your child may feel the varnish with their tongue, but they can’t lick it off.

Fluoride application

Fluoride treatment is pain-free, although young children may still cry. Thankfully, brushing on the varnish only takes a few minutes.

How you can help

You may be asked to hold your child in your lap and sit knee-to-knee with the care provider applying the varnish during their treatment.

Sealants are simple

We clean and dry the tooth that is being sealed, isolating it from any saliva with a small cotton roll. Then we apply an etching solution to the surface of the tooth to disinfect and prep it for the sealant. No anesthetic is needed for sealant placement.

Sealing the tooth

Once the etching solution is rinsed off, we paint on a thin bonding layer and then the sealant, covering the tooth’s enamel.

The curing process

We use an LED blue light to cure the sealant as it hardens and bonds to the tooth’s surface. The entire process only takes about one minute. Your child can eat, drink, and return to school immediately after.

At what age should my child visit a pediatric dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child's first visit to the dentist should occur by twelve months of age. This visit will enable our pediatric dentists to evaluate your child and discuss proper oral hygiene. Early education and guidance about diet, fluoride, tooth eruption and finger/pacifier habits can help ensure optimal dental health.

How often should my child visit a pediatric dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that most children visit the dentist at least twice a year. Some children need more frequent care and teeth cleanings because of increased risk of tooth decay, unusual growth patterns, or poor oral hygiene. Our pediatric dentists will help determine the best teeth cleaning schedule for your child.

Does your child use a pacifier or suck his/her thumb?

This type of sucking is completely normal for infants and young children. It provides security and relaxation. Most children stop sucking their thumb or pacifier between two and four years of age with no harm to their teeth or jaws. However, children should cease these habits prior to the eruption of their permanent teeth.

What are dental sealants and who can benefit from them?

The chewing surface of children’s teeth is most susceptible to cavities and least benefited from fluoride. Sealants are adhesive coatings that are applied to the tops of teeth and can be very effective in preventing tooth decay. Molars are the most decayed teeth because plaque accumulates in the tiny grooves of the chewing surfaces. Sealants prevent the cavities that fluoride cannot effectively reach.

If my child gets a cavity in a baby tooth, should it still be filled?

Yes! Primary or “baby” teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also hold space that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt. Pain, infection of the gums and jaw, impairment of general health and premature loss of teeth are just a few problems that can happen when baby teeth are neglected.

What is baby bottle tooth decay and how can I prevent it?

Baby bottle tooth decay is a pattern of rapid decay associated with prolonged nursing. It happens when a child goes to sleep while breast-feeding or bottle-feeding. During sleep, the flow of saliva is reduced and the natural self-cleansing action of the mouth is diminished. Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle.

What can parents do to help make dental experiences positive?

If parents have their own fear or anxiety about the dentist, they should not share those with their child. Dentistry has changed over the years, and it is important to allow their child the opportunity to like their dentist and their dental home. Parents can refer to the dentist and team as helpful and as friends. If the parents show they trust the dentist their child will too.

What do you recommend for busy families so they are making good dietary choices on a daily basis?

Diet plays a really important role for the development or risk for cavities. Eliminating chocolate milk or any juice all together is great, but moderation is key. Stay away from the sports drinks like Gatorade, Powerade and even sodas because they have a lot of acid. Mostly importantly stay away from sticky snacks like gummy vitamins, fruit snacks, things that stick in the grooves of your teeth.

Aren't they just baby teeth?

Yes, but most children get their first teeth by age 1 and lose their last baby tooth by age 13. Early care and prevention are crucial. Baby teeth shape the mouth, allow for chewing, appropriate speech, and help guide permanent teeth into the mouth correctly. Cavities are a bacteria that if left untreated can cause significant pain and spread to neighboring teeth, surrounding bone and throughout the body.

A lot of young children like to suck on their fingers, thumbs and pacifiers, can these have adverse affects?

You’re right! Sucking on thumbs, fingers and pacifiers is very normal and actually provides security for the very young child. Most children will stop this habit on their own between the ages of 2 and 4. Our guidelines recommend stopping that habit around 3 years of age to prevent any issues with the developing jaw and the way the teeth are positioned.

What can a parent do to help stop oral sucking habits?

Most children do stop on their own, but some require additional help from their parents or pediatric dentist. For patients with a pacifier habit, the most successful way to stop is to simply take the pacifier away. For thumb/finger habits, we recommend using a rewards calendar. Your pediatric dentist may recommend placing an appliance that does not allow the patient to suck on their thumb or finger.