For years, scientists have known about the benefits of fluoride for protecting teeth. Adding fluoride to water helps reduce tooth decay, and as such many American cities and town fluoridate their water supplies in an effort to improve the oral health of their citizens. Dental fluoride treatment is a supplemental way to reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum diseases, and is as simple as a trip to the dentist’s office.

Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter. It makes teeth inherently stronger, and even small amounts of fluoride have been found to increase the relative strength of teeth in clinical tests. Also, since tooth enamel does not regenerate, fluoride is beneficial because it actually repairs and re-mineralizes damage to the surface of teeth caused by acids and bacteria. Armed with this knowledge, dentists prepare special mouthpieces filled with fluoride gel to repair and protect their patient’s delicate teeth.

A fluoride treatment is a simple and relatively effective way to defend against the horrors of tooth decay. A twice yearly application of fluoride gel, combined with regular brushing and teeth cleaning, can make your teeth white, bright, and healthy. Check with your dentist today to find out how you can best prevent dental problems from surfacing tomorrow.

Topical fluoride comes in a number of different forms. Gels and foams are placed in fluoride trays and applied at the dental office after your child's teeth have been thoroughly cleaned. Fluoride varnish is one of the newer forms of topical fluoride applied at the dentist office. It has been documented to be safe and effective to fight dental decay through a long history of use in Europe.
The advantages of varnish are:

• Easily and quickly applied to the teeth.
• Decreases the potential amount of fluoride digested.
• Continues to "soak" fluoride into the enamel for approximately 24 hours after the original application.

This method is especially useful in young patients and those with special needs that may not toleratefluoride trays comfortably.