Cavities are the most common preventable health condition affecting kids of all ages. And if you want to protect your child and fight back against cavities, fluoride treatments and dental sealants from Dr. Michael Wang at Mission Peak Pediatric Dentistry are both great options. But what’s the difference, and which one is right for your little one? Find out now.
Fluoride treatments help protect your child’s teeth from cavity formation, and can even help reverse the initial stage of tooth decay. When it’s applied to teeth, fluoride helps attract calcium and phosphates to the enamel. This strengthens the tooth and helps prevent tooth decay caused by oral bacteria and acid.
Usually, fluoride treatments are done as part of a six-month routine cleaning at most dental practices. After cleaning your child’s teeth, Dr. Michael will use a brush to apply a thin film of fluoride varnish to each of your child’s teeth. He’ll leave it in place for a few minutes. Once the treatment is complete, you and your little one will be sent home. Your child should avoid eating and drinking for about 30 minutes, as this maximizes the effectiveness of the fluoride.
Dental sealants are a bit different from fluoride treatments. Dental sealants consist of a thin layer of dental resin, and they are usually applied to the rear teeth since these are more cavity-prone. Once it’s in place, this resin layer protects your child’s enamel by preventing direct contact with food particles, bacteria, and acid. This, in turn, helps dramatically reduce their risk of developing cavities.
The dental sealant process is also quite simple. Once your child’s teeth are clean, Dr. Michael will apply a special liquid to each tooth that’s getting treated with a sealant. This roughens the tooth slightly, allowing the sealant to bond tightly with the tooth. Then, he will apply the liquid resin directly to your child’s tooth. Once the tooth is covered, he will activate it with a UV light to cure and harden the resin. This process will be repeated for each tooth that needs treatment with dental sealants.
Every child is different. Depending on how prone your little one is to developing cavities, they may only need one treatment or the other. In general, though, both fluoride treatments and dental sealants are highly effective ways to prevent cavities. If you’d like to maximize their protection, getting both dental sealants and fluoride treatments from Mission Peak Pediatric Dentistry is a great option.
Whether your child needs fluoride treatments, dental sealants, or just a routine six-month checkup from a pediatric dentist, Dr. Michael and our team are here to help. To schedule an appointment at Mission Peak Pediatric Dentistry, just give us a call at (510) 980-7325 or contact us online. We’re always accepting new patients in Fremont, CA, and we’d be happy to meet you and your little ones.
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