Healthy gums and teeth are important to your child's overall health. This is why your child's doctor will talk with you aboutgood dental habitseven before your child's first tooth appears.
Once your child has a tooth, your doctor may recommend that your child receive fluoride varnish treatments in the pediatrician's office to helpprevent tooth decay. This can be done 2 to 4 times per year. The number of treatments depends on how likely it is that your child may get a cavity.
Pediatricians are trained to apply fluoride varnish because manyyoung children do not see or have access to a dentist until they are older. If your child is seeing a dentist at a young age, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, fluoride varnish may be applied in a dental office instead.
Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about fluoride varnish.
What is Fluoride Varnish?
Fluoride varnish is a dental treatment that can help prevent tooth decay, slow it down, or stop it from getting worse. Fluoride varnish is made with fluoride, a mineral that can strengthen tooth enamel (outer coating on teeth).
Keep in mind that fluoride varnish treatments cannot completely prevent cavities. Fluoride varnish treatments can best help prevent decay when a child is also brushing using the right amount of toothpaste with fluoride, flossing regularly, getting regular dental care, and eating a healthy diet.
Is Fluoride Varnish Safe?
Fluoride varnish is safe and used by dentists and doctors all over the world to help prevent tooth decay in children. Only a small amount is used, and hardly any fluoride is swallowed. It is quickly applied and hardens. Then it is brushed off after 4 to 12 hours.
Some brands of fluoride varnish make teeth look yellow. Other brands make teeth look dull. However, the color of your child's teeth will return to normal after the fluoride varnish is brushed off. Most children like the taste.
How is Fluoride Varnish Put on theTeeth?
Fluoride varnish is painted on the top and sides of each tooth with a small brush. It is sticky but hardens once it comes in contact with saliva. Your child may feel the hardened varnish with his tongue but will not be able to lick the varnish off.
It does not hurt when the varnish is applied. However, young children may still cry before or during the procedure. Fortunately, brushing on the varnish takes only a few minutes. Also, applying the varnish may be easier when a child is crying because his mouth will be slightly open.
You may be asked to hold your child in your lap while you are placed knee-to-knee with the person applying the varnish.
How Do I Care for My Child's Teeth After Fluoride Varnish is Applied?
Here are general guidelines on how to care for your child's teeth after fluoride varnish is applied. Check with your child's doctor for any other special instructions.
- Your child can eat and drink right after the fluoride varnish is applied. But only give your child soft foods and cold or warm (not hot) foods or liquids.
- Do not brush or floss teeth for at least 4 to 6 hours. Your child's doctor may tell you to wait until the next morning to brush or floss. Remind your child to spit when rinsing, if he knows how to spit.
Remember:
Steps to good dental health include:
- Regular care by adentist trained to treat young children
- Getting enoughfluoride
- Regular brushingand flossing
- Eating right
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants receive oral health risk assessments by 6 months of age. Infants at higher risk of early dental caries should be referred to a dentist as early as 6 months of age and no later than 6 months after the first tooth erupts or 12 months of age (whichever comes first) to establish theirdental home. Every child should have a dental home established by 12 months of age.
Additional Information:
- Water Fluoridation
- FAQs Fluoride and Children
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circ*mstances.
FAQs
Answer: Fluoride varnish is safe. It is used on babies from the time they have their first tooth. Because the varnish is painted onto teeth and only a very small amount is used, almost no fluoride is swallowed.
What parents need to know about fluoride varnish? ›
Fluoride varnish contains a safe and healthy amount of fluoride. Appropriate use has not been linked to fluorosis, a condition in adult teeth caused by ingesting too much fluoride as a child. Consult with your child's dentist to make sure your child is getting the appropriate amount of fluoride.
What are the documentation requirements for fluoride varnish? ›
If it is verbal consent, it must be obtained each time before applying fluoride varnish. The verbal consent must be documented in the child's chart and it should include that a discussion of the risks and benefits of FVA took place. The signed consent form must be kept on file with the child's health records.
How do you explain fluoride varnish to patients? ›
Fluoride varnish is a protective coating that is painted on teeth to help prevent new cavities and to help stop cavities that have already started. Fluoride varnish is an easy, effective, and safe way to help protect your child's teeth and prevent cavities.
Which children should receive fluoride varnish in the medical office? ›
The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that medical providers apply fluoride varnish (FV) to the teeth of all children under 6 years of age, but fewer than 10% of eligible children receive FV as recommended.
What are the side effects of fluoride varnish for kids? ›
Results
| CHARACTERISTIC | NO. (%) |
|---|
| Swelling | 22 (33.8) |
| Burning, itching, soreness | 15 (23.1) |
| Rash | 11 (16.9) |
| Vomiting | 10 (15.4) |
18 more rowsMar 22, 2021
Contraindications: Ulcerative gingivitis and stomatitis. Known allergies or reactions to colophony (colophonium) or similar agents. Avoid ingestion during application.
What is the policy for fluoride varnish? ›
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that primary care clinicians apply fluoride varnish to the teeth of all infants and children starting at tooth eruption through age 5 years. All children in this age category should receive fluoride varnish application at least once every six months.
What are the preoperative instructions for fluoride varnish? ›
We will keep the tooth dry with cotton wool rolls and apply the fluoride varnish with a very small soft brush. Do not eat or drink for approximately 30 minutes after the fluoride varnish application. For best results, avoid hot and sticky foods for 4 hours.
What are the cons of fluoride varnish? ›
What are the pros and cons of fluoride? The benefits of using dental fluoride include stronger enamel and better protection against tooth decay. But large amounts of fluoride can be toxic. It can also result in fluoride-induced tooth discoloration (fluorosis).
After Varnish Instructions - English
Do not brush or floss for at least 4-6 hours. If possible, wait until tomorrow morning to resume brushing and flossing. Feed a soft food diet for the rest of today. Avoid hot drinks and products containing alcohol (eg, beverages, oral rinses, etc) for the rest of today.
What are the eating rules for fluoride varnish? ›
It is recommended that the patient be instructed to only eat soft foods and drink cold liquids for 2 hours after treatment. After 6 hours, the patient may consume hot drinks or alcohol (mouth rinses) and may brush or floss.
What are the main advantages of fluoride varnish? ›
Fluoride varnish helps prevent new cavities and can help stop some cavities that have just barely started. Why is putting fluoride varnish on children's teeth recommended? Tooth decay is one of the most common preventable diseases in children.
Is fluoride varnish worth it for kids? ›
Keep in mind that fluoride varnish treatments cannot completely prevent cavities. Fluoride varnish treatments can best help prevent decay when a child is also brushing using the right amount of toothpaste with fluoride, flossing regularly, getting regular dental care, and eating a healthy diet.
Should I say no to fluoride at the dentist? ›
A: Although endorsed by many dental and health organizations globally for its benefits in preventing tooth decay. However, it's your health, and ultimately the choice is yours. Consider all sides, consult your dentist, and ensure you can maintain a rigorous oral hygiene routine if you decide to forego fluoride.
Who is qualified to apply fluoride varnish? ›
Who can apply fluoride varnish? Medical providers can apply fluoride varnish to infants' teeth, ages birth to age 3. A doctor, nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, nurse, registered nurse, and medical assistant (MA) can provide fluoride varnish after receiving the required training.
Can I brush my kids' teeth after fluoride? ›
Wait until the next day to brush teeth, and avoid hot, hard or sticky foods after the fluoride varnish application. Hard or chewy foods might chip the varnish off. Is fluoride varnish covered by insurance?
