DENTAL SERVICES

FLUORIDE TREATMENT FOR SENSITIVE TEETH

Dental Art provides the service of FLOURIDE VARNISHING, for soothing the sensitive teeth and also protecting the enamel from daily wear and tear.

Underlying is the details about the importance ,usage, effectiveness of this tooth savour element fluoride varnish is highly effective at reducing tooth decay if it is applied twice a year. Fluoride varnish should be applied at least twice yearly in all children.

What is fluoride varnish and what is it used for?

Fluoride varnish provides extra protection against tooth decay when used in addition to brushing. Fluoride varnish is a pale yellow gel that sets quickly when applied to children’s teeth using a soft brush. The varnish sets quickly, has a pleasant taste and a fruity smell.

Scientific studies have shown that fluoride varnish gives added protection to teeth against decay when used in addition to brushing teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste.

Dental Services

• Your child should be offered fluoride varnish application at least twice yearly from the age of two. This is applied to teeth at the dental practice by a member of the dental team
• You should let your dental practice know if fluoride varnish has recently been applied at nursery or school. This allows the dental practice to space out your child’s fluoride varnish applications to ensure maximum benefit
• Some children will not have fluoride varnish applied because they have a medical history of allergies (specifically sticking plaster) or have previously been hospitalised due to asthma or allergies. If this is the case for your child, a full individual risk assessment will be carried out by your dentist and a decision taken on whether it is clinically appropriate for fluoride varnish to be applied

On The Day of Application

• Fluoride varnish won’t be applied if your child has sore areas in their mouth
• Some children may be taking fluoride drops or tablets. These should not be taken for two days after the fluoride application. After that, continue as directed

Are there any risks?

Children who swallow too much fluoride over long periods of time can develop white spots on their teeth. However, the risk of developing white spots as a result of fluoride varnish is very small.

After the application
The fluoride varnish should remain on the child's teeth for the rest of the day and also overnight to provide the most benefit.

Please make sure:
You do not brush your child's teeth tonight, but from tomorrow morning brush them at least twice daily, in the morning and last thing at night using toothpaste containing flouride.

Virtually all public health authorities and medical associations worldwide recommend that children and adults receive a minimum (and maximum) level of fluoride. Children need fluoride to protect their permanent teeth as they are being formed. Adults also need fluoride to protect their teeth from decay.

Several people, especially those at higher risk of tooth decay, benefit from fluoride treatment. This includes individuals who have:

• Snacking habits
• Poor dental hygiene
• No (or little) access to a dentist
• Diets that are high in sugars/carbohydrates
• Bridges, crowns, braces, and other restoration procedures
• A history of tooth decay (cavities)

Fluoride is also synthesized in laboratories. Synthesized fluoride is commonly added to drinking water, toothpaste, mouthwashes and various chemical products.

Why is fluoride added to drinking water?

Water authorities add fluoride to tap-water because they say it reduces the prevalence of tooth decay in the local population.

What does fluoride do?

Fluoride is said to protect the teeth in two ways:

• Protection from demineralization - when bacteria in the mouth combine with sugars they produce acid. This acid can erode tooth enamel and damage our teeth. Fluoride can protect teeth from demineralization that is caused by the acid
• Remineralization - if there is already some damage to teeth caused by acid, fluoride accumulates in the demineralized areas and begins strengthening the enamel, a process called remineralization

Fluoride is extremely useful in preventing cavities and making teeth stronger. However, it is much less effective if a cavity has already formed.

According to the National Health Service, fluoride disrupts the process of tooth decay by:

• Altering the structure of the developing enamel so that it is more resistant to acid attack. These structural changes occur as a child's enamel develops (before he/she is seven years old)
• Providing an environment where better quality enamel is formed, which is much more resistant to acid attack
• Reducing the bacteria's (bacteria in plaque) ability to produce acid, a major cause of tooth decay

Excess fluoride exposure can lead to health problems

Excess fluoride exposure may come from the following sources:

• Public water fluoridation
• Abnormally high concentrations of fluoride in natural fresh water
• Dentifrice/fluoridated mouthrinse. Young children may swallow it
• Untested bottled water
• Inappropriate use of fluoride supplements
• Some foods

Dental Fluorosis

Excessive exposure to high concentrations of fluoride during tooth development (during childhood) can result in tiny white streaks or specks in the enamel of the tooth in mild cases of dental fluorosis. In severe cases of dental fluorosis, the tooth has more evident discoloration and brown markings. The enamel may be rough and pitted, and difficult to clean.

The spots and stains, which are permanent, may eventually darken.

Of greatest concern is the aesthetic changes that occur in the permanent teeth among children who are exposed to too much fluoride between the ages of 20 and 30 months. According to dentists, the critical period of fluoride exposure is between 1 and 4 years of age - the risk goes away after the age of 8 years. Symptom-severity depends on several factors, including the child's age, weight, degree of physical activity, bone growth, diet and individual response.

Skeletal Fluorosis

A bone disease caused by too much fluoride. In severe cases, there is damage to bones and joints, as well as pain.

High fluorine concentrations in the body lead to hardened and less elastic bones, which increases the risk of fractures.