Why Fluoride Varnish Matters for Your Child’s Teeth

*Collaborative Post

Every parent wants to look after their child’s teeth, and every dentist wants to be able to maximise the number of positive patient outcomes. With this in mind, we’ve created a guide that educates parents and gives practice managers a quick refresher so that everyone can get on the same page. Keep reading, and we will guide you through everything you need to know! 

What is fluoride varnish?

There is a misconception that issues with baby teeth are somehow okay, as they will soon be lost and then replaced with adult teeth. The problem here is that by taking this approach, you’re unwittingly teaching a child poor habits from infancy. There are also many, many cases of toothache and gum issues causing a range of problems for little people. Fluoride varnish is a way to protect your child against all of this. 

This highly protective coating is applied by a dental care specialist and is designed to strengthen the delicate tooth enamel. As a result, it makes your child’s teeth far more resistant to erosion due to acidic foods and drinks, so that tooth decay is kept at bay. 

Fluoride varnish releases minerals

Fluorapatite crystals will gradually be deposited on the surface of the child’s teeth, and they are significantly stronger and more durable than natural enamel. The child-safe formulation also actively attacks the harmful bacteria in the mouth that are the starting point for plaque and decay. Busy parents often think of fluoride varnish treatments as both a safety net and an extra helping hand. While it should never be considered a replacement for twice-daily brushing, it will ensure that an extra layer of protection and support is always there. 

Where and when to apply the varnish? 

While we’ve focused on milk teeth, many dentists recommend a twice-annual application to a child’s first set of permanent molars, as they are the hardest to clean and easiest to miss. Food debris, limited access, and a learning curve when it comes to back-of-the-mouth brushing all combine to make early molars more susceptible to plaque and decay. 

The varnish is designed to have a pleasant taste and is proven to set very quickly, so that there is minimal discomfort or inconvenience. It should always be applied by a trained dental care professional, as they will be able to ensure correct coverage, adequate thickness, and they will know how to keep the gums safe. A dentist will also be able to ensure that there are no underlying problems that need to be addressed before the varnish can be applied. 

Parents and practices working together 

If you are a busy parent, you want to know that your dentist will take care of everything from the moment you arrive. And if you are a dentist, you want to know that your practice manager will ensure you have a continual supply of the materials and consumables that you need to do your job. The key to bringing these two parties together is good, clear, and regular communication across all levels. 

Regular check-ups are always the way to go, as they will ensure that issues with teeth are caught early, ensuring that parents don’t have to wait until a child is in pain to become aware. A proactive approach from parents means attending appointments, and a proactive approach from practices means offering flexible family plans with convenient appointment times. 

The importance of consistency 

Practice managers are strongly advised to source a consistent supply of fluoride varnish from an established nationwide supplier. Not only will this ensure constant availability and cost-effective pricing, it will also guarantee consistency in terms of varnish formulation so that drying times and required thicknesses never have to be adjusted from one supplier to the next. Exactly what you need to hear when you want to be able to focus on what you and your team do best, so that you can maximise positive patient outcomes. 

Final thoughts 

The next step for parents is to make sure that a regular check-up is in the diary and to then ask a dental care professional if they think their child is a good candidate for a fluoride varnish treatment. The next step for dental practice managers is to secure a reliable supply of varnish and to make sure that every parent is made aware of the benefits of such treatments. By working together, parents and practices can improve the quality of life of the next generation for many years to come. 

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.