Fluoride is a mineral compound composed of fluorine, a naturally occurring element. It's typically found in small amounts of drinking water and many dental products. A fluoride varnish treatment is simply fluoride applied directly to your child's teeth by a dental professional.

Unlike fluoride found in toothpaste, rinses, and city water sources, fluoride treatments used in a dental office are much more concentrated. It helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid and plaque and strengthening the enamel by replacing nutrients.

When you or your child eats or drinks, the bacteria in the mouth feeds on the sugars or starches, releasing acids that can erode your tooth's hard outer shell (enamel). When the enamel breaks down, tooth decay or cavities can occur. 

Fluoride protects teeth by making them stronger and more resistant to acid. It reduces the risk of cavities and also helps reverse early signs of decay. It also promotes remineralization, which is when minerals are redeposited into the enamel after the acids strip them away (demineralization). 

Fluoride treatments in children under the age of six mean the mineral becomes incorporated into the development of their permanent teeth. As a result, their adult teeth grow stronger and more resilient. Children who have fluoride varnish treatments have teeth that are less vulnerable to decay.

Fluoride treatment benefits both children and adults. The earlier children are exposed to fluoride, the less likely they are to develop cavities. Fluoride treatments are especially good for children and adults with a higher risk of tooth decay or erosion. 

If you have a dry mouth, weak enamel, gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, or poor oral health, or if you have crowns, bridges, or braces, a fluoride treatment at the dentist can help protect your teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a professional fluoride treatment every 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on your oral health. If you're at high risk for cavities, we may also prescribe a special fluoride rinse or gel to use regularly at home.

Professional fluoride treatments are painless and usually only take a few seconds, and involve the following: 

• Application of Fluoride: The fluoride our office uses comes in the form of varnish and is applied with a swab or brush or swiped on by hand. At first, the substance may feel a bit sticky but hardens as soon as it comes into contact with saliva, so your child won't swallow it or be able to lick it off.  
• With varnish versus gel, you cant eat, drink, or rinse right away.: After the treatment is applied, we recommend that your child waits 4 hours before brushing so that the teeth can fully absorb the fluoride into their teeth.

Fluoride is safe and effective for preventing tooth decay in children. But like any medication, too much fluoride can cause negative complications like dental fluorosis, a condition that causes white streaks or other discoloration on the teeth. We will closely monitor the amount of fluoride used in the office and detect any signs of dental fluorosis. 

Typically, fluoride treatments cost somewhere between $20 and $50, but because the treatment is designed as a preventive dental treatment that promotes good oral health, most dental insurance policies will cover the entire cost of treatment.