Many dentists — including Dr. James Bedor DDS — recommend fluoride treatments for your children’s teeth. Fluoride can be administered topically in a gel, foam or a varnish. Gels and foams are placed in special trays and applied right in our White Lake dental office after your child’s teeth have been cleaned.
One of the newer methods of fluoride application is a topical varnish. This new method has several advantages over gel and foam and has been documented to be safe and effective to fight dental decay. Fluoride varnish can be easily and quickly applied to the teeth, while decreasing the amount of fluoride your child digests. Varnish also continues to send fluoride into the enamel as long as 24 hours after it is applied.
Adequate amounts of fluoride can be found in both toothpaste and water unless the water comes from a well or has low levels. Parents should talk to White Lake dentist James Bedor DDS before giving children over-the-counter fluoride supplements. Too much fluoride can be harmful to a child’s health and may cause a condition known as fluorosis — causing spots to develop on your child’s adult teeth.
The American Dental Association recommends that your child receive two fluoride treatments each year. Please check with your insurance company to see how many annual treatments are covered under your plan.