Fluoride varnish….what is it?

children dental check up hull

Due to children (and adults) being unable to arrange routine dental check ups with their NHS practice, during the lockdowns and then afterwards with the disruptions, the dental industry has witnessed a wave of post-lockdown tooth decay.

Almost a third of the UK’s population of under 5 year olds, and half of those by the age of 8 will have experienced some dental decay.

So what is fluoride varnish, and how can it help?

Fluoride is a mineral which can help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride varnish treatment has been proven to reduce dental caries in milk teeth by 37%, and 43% in adult teeth. Dental professionals recommend it is applied to all children’s teeth at least twice a year. It is a natural mineral which is used to slow down and prevent the development of tooth decay from an early age. The varnish is a pale yellow gel that is applied to the top and sides of the teeth using a soft brush which quickly sets, making it difficult for acid to attack. It has a pleasant taste and often a fruity smell.

Fluoride can be found naturally in some foods and drinks such as;

  • Water (depending on your location within England)
  • Tea
  • Fish
  • Beer

Fluoride can also be added to toothpaste as part of your daily oral hygiene regime.
It is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes with a Fluoride toothpaste, lowering your risk of dental decay by 14%!

The regular exposure to fluoride encourages remineralisation of the enamel on your tooth, which is why the dentist will encourage you not to rinse with anything after brushing your teeth.

Fluoride within toothpaste comes in many forms including

  • Sodium monofluorophosphate
  • Sodium fluoride
  • Stannous Fluoride

And it is measured in parts per million (ppm), the ideal amount of fluoride is between 1,000ppm and 1450ppm. For patients at higher risk of dental decay fluoride toothpaste of a higher concentration can be prescribed but your dentist will discuss this with you if necessary.

Fluoride Treatment – Kingswood Parks Dental (kingswoodparksclinics.co.uk)

Is it safe for children?

Fluoride is a safe dental treatment used on children by all dentists around the world in order to prevent tooth decay. It is very quick to apply with only a tiny amount used. It also comes in all different flavours which children often like.  This treatment can be carried out during your child’s dental visit, 2-4 times per year dependant on how likely it is for a cavity to develop.

Children are also advised to use fluoride toothpaste to get them used to that minty flavour; milder mint varieties are available and it is encouraged to use these instead of fruity flavours to discourage swallowing the paste because of the flavour. Most family toothpastes are mint flavoured, so as they get older they need to be desensitised to the taste of mint, to make the transition to an adults toothpaste easier.
Children aged 1-3 are recommended to have a “smear” of toothpaste on their brush.
Children aged 3-6 should have a pea sized amount of toothpaste on their brush.

Why is it important?

Healthy gums and teeth are extremely important to your child’s overall health, and by applying the fluoride gel from an early stage, it can help to prevent any dental caries and cavities in the future. Although fluoride cannot remove decay, it does support healthy tooth enamel and the growth of harmful oral bacteria.

Guidance referred from:

Public Health England. Local authorities improving oral health: commissioning better oral health for children and young people: An evidence-informed toolkit for local authorities. London: Public Health England; 2014. 

Marinho VCC, Worthington HV, Walsh T, Clarkson JE. Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013

For more information or to book an appointment for your child, please contact the practice;

Contact – Kingswood Parks Dental (kingswoodparksclinics.co.uk)

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