Fluoride Treatments
The sixty second cavity fighter
Some of the best things we do in this office are also the least dramatic. A fluoride treatment takes about a
minute. We paint a thin varnish onto your teeth after your cleaning, you avoid eating for a half hour, and that
is the entire experience. What happens afterward is the interesting part.
Fluoride works by bonding into your enamel and making it measurably harder for acid to dissolve. Every time
you eat or drink something sugary or acidic, bacteria in your mouth produce acid that pulls minerals out of
your teeth. Fluoride tips that daily battle back in your favor, helping enamel remineralize and resist the next
attack.
Fluoride Treatments
Not just for kids
Parents expect fluoride at their children’s visits, and for good reason, since it protects teeth during the years
kids are still mastering the toothbrush. What surprises people is how many adults benefit just as much. If you
get cavities easily, sip coffee all day, take medications that dry your mouth, or deal with sensitive teeth,
fluoride varnish is one of the simplest protections available.
Sensitivity relief deserves its own mention. Fluoride varnish physically blocks the microscopic channels in
exposed root surfaces that make cold water and ice cream feel like electricity. Many of our patients with
sensitive teeth ask for it at every cleaning because they can feel the difference.
Fluoride Treatments
What the visit is like
There is nothing to dread and nothing to prepare for. After your cleaning, we brush the varnish on with a
small applicator. It goes on smooth, sets on contact with saliva, and has a mild, pleasant taste. You can drink
water right away. We just ask you to skip food and hot drinks for about 30 minutes so the fluoride has time to
do its work.
That is truly all there is to it. No numbing, no drilling, no recovery. For the amount of protection delivered per
minute in the chair, nothing else in dentistry comes close.
Fluoride Treatments
Where fluoride fits in your bigger picture
Fluoride varnish is a supplement to good habits, not a substitute for them. Brushing with a fluoride
toothpaste twice a day and flossing nightly still carry most of the load. Regular exams and cleanings catch
whatever slips through. Varnish is the extra layer on top, and for cavity prone mouths it is often the layer that
finally breaks the cycle of a new filling every year.
Dr. Salinas will tell you honestly whether fluoride treatments make sense for you or your kids, and how often.
For some patients it is every visit, for others once a year is plenty. Ask at your next appointment, or call (512)
646-4420.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Sedation Dentistry
Yes. Fluoride varnish in the amounts used at dental visits has decades of research behind it and is
recommended by the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The dose is
small, applied directly to the teeth, and barely any is swallowed.
Most plans cover fluoride for children automatically. Coverage for adults varies, and when it is not covered,
the out of pocket cost is modest. We will tell you the exact number before we do anything.
It depends on your cavity risk. High risk patients benefit from varnish at every six month visit. Lower risk
patients may only want it occasionally or for sensitivity. Dr. Salinas will give you a straight recommendation
based on your actual history.
Related services
Preventive Dentistry
Thorough exams, gentle cleanings, digital X-rays, and periodontal care that keep
small problems from ever becoming big ones.
Dental Sealants
The chewing surfaces of your back teeth are full of deep grooves that trap food and bacteria no matter how well you brush. Sealants fill those grooves
Teeth Cleanings
Even people who brush and floss perfectly build up tartar in spots a toothbrush simply cannot reach. Our hygienists remove all of it gently, polish away
Ready to schedule?
Visit Our Office — 512ooth Family Dentistry, 8701 W State Hwy 71 #102, Austin, TX 78735.