Dental Fluoride Treatment Charlotte & Monroe, NC
Fluoride treatments help prevent cavities and tooth decay by strengthening your child’s tooth enamel. This essential mineral coats teeth and prevents plaque from building up and hardening on the tooth’s surface. At All Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Charlotte and Monroe, we provide professional fluoride treatments as part of comprehensive pediatric dental care. We accept virtually all insurance plans, including NC Medicaid, and offer a dental savings plan for families without insurance, making quality preventive care accessible to everyone in our community.
- Most major insurance accepted
- NC Medicaid provider
- In-house dental savings plan
- All major credit cards
Preventing Problems Before They Start
The health of your child’s teeth and mouth is very important to the well-being of their entire body. While routine brushing and flossing at home are necessary to keep your child’s smile looking its best, visiting the dentist for a comprehensive exam and cleaning is essential. The American Dental Association recommends that your child visit the dentist every six months to ensure their teeth stay healthy and their smile stays beautiful.
By routinely seeing the dentist for exams and cleanings, your child can:
- Prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath
- Avoid costly and extensive dental procedures
- Have whiter teeth by reducing staining from food and drinks
- Shorten the time spent in the dentist’s office
Have a smile that will last a lifetime
Gentle, comprehensive dental care for children with flexible payment options for growing families.
What Are Fluoride Treatments and How Do They Work?
Professional fluoride treatments involve applying a concentrated fluoride solution directly to your child’s teeth. This mineral occurs naturally in many foods and water sources but is applied in a higher concentration during dental visits for maximum protective benefits. When applied to teeth, fluoride is absorbed into the enamel, which helps rebuild weakened tooth enamel and reverses early signs of tooth decay.
The treatment process is quick and painless, taking just a few minutes during your child’s regular dental checkup. The fluoride comes in several forms, including gel, foam, or varnish, and may have a pleasant flavor to make the experience more enjoyable for children. After application, your child will be instructed not to eat or drink for about 30 minutes to allow the fluoride to fully absorb into the tooth surface.
Children who receive regular fluoride treatments are significantly less likely to develop cavities compared to those who don’t receive these preventive treatments. The American Dental Association (ADA) emphasizes the importance of fluoride in cavity prevention, noting that fluoride helps to reduce the incidence of tooth decay by up to 40-60% in children.
Preventing Tooth Decay with Fluoride
Tooth decay in children can lead to pain, infections, and even tooth loss if not treated early. Fluoride treatments play a critical role in strengthening the teeth and making them more resistant to decay. By applying fluoride varnish or other topical fluoride treatments to your child’s teeth, we help remineralize tooth enamel, which can reverse early stages of decay. This prevents the decay from progressing and requiring more invasive treatments, such as fillings or root canals.
Regular fluoride treatments can significantly reduce the likelihood of cavities, particularly in children who are at higher risk for dental decay due to poor oral hygiene habits, a diet high in sugar, or insufficient fluoride exposure from drinking water or fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens teeth against acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, reducing the overall risk of cavities and improving your child’s oral health.
The Benefits of Fluoride Varnish
Fluoride varnish is a highly effective method for delivering fluoride to a child’s teeth. This treatment is typically applied by a dental professional and involves painting a thin layer of fluoride varnish onto the teeth. Over the next few hours, the varnish is absorbed into the enamel, providing long-lasting protection.
Fluoride varnish is beneficial for both primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. It helps prevent tooth decay, particularly in areas that are difficult to clean, such as the molars at the back of the mouth. For children who are prone to dental decay, fluoride varnish serves as an excellent preventive measure, providing an extra layer of protection and helping to prevent the need for costly and invasive treatments like fillings.
When Should Children Start Receiving Fluoride Treatments?
Children should begin receiving fluoride treatments as soon as their first teeth erupt. Baby teeth play crucial roles in speech development, proper nutrition, and preserving space for permanent teeth. Protecting them with fluoride early on establishes a foundation for lifelong oral health.
Most pediatric dentists recommend professional fluoride treatments every six months as part of regular dental check-ups. However, children with higher cavity risk may benefit from more frequent applications. Risk factors include previous cavities, a diet high in sugars, poor oral hygiene habits, or certain medical conditions. Your pediatric dentist can assess your child’s specific needs and recommend an appropriate treatment schedule based on their individual risk assessment.
Fluoride Supplements and Community Water Fluoridation
In addition to professional fluoride treatments, fluoride is also available in other forms, including fluoride supplements and fluoridated toothpaste. Many communities add fluoride to their drinking water, a practice that has been shown to significantly reduce tooth decay in both children and adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), community water fluoridation is one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century and has helped to reduce tooth decay in children by up to 25% over their lifetime.
If your child is not receiving adequate fluoride through drinking water or fluoridated toothpaste, your dentist may recommend fluoride supplements to ensure they are getting the necessary amount to protect their teeth. Fluoride mouth rinses are also available for children who are old enough to use them effectively.
Fluoride and Tooth Sensitivity
Fluoride treatments can also help children who experience tooth sensitivity. Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures can be uncomfortable, especially for children who are still developing their oral care habits. Fluoride helps to strengthen the tooth enamel and provides a protective layer, which can reduce tooth sensitivity and improve overall comfort while eating and drinking.
By applying fluoride regularly, we not only protect against cavities but also help reduce the discomfort caused by tooth sensitivity. This is particularly beneficial for children with sensitive teeth who may experience discomfort when consuming cold drinks or hot foods.
Schedule Your Child's Fluoride Treatment at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Charlotte & Monroe
At All Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Charlotte and Monroe, we believe every child in our Union and Mecklenburg County communities deserves access to comprehensive dental care, including preventive treatments like fluoride applications. Our practice opened in 2014 and has grown to serve children throughout Charlotte and Monroe in three convenient locations. We offer a welcoming, kid-friendly environment where our multilingual team speaks English, Spanish, and Russian to ensure all families feel comfortable.
Your child’s dental health journey is important to us, and we take pride in providing gentle, patient-centered care for children of all ages. We accept virtually all insurance plans, including NC Medicaid, and offer a dental savings plan for families without insurance coverage. To schedule your child’s fluoride treatment or comprehensive dental exam, call our Arrowhead office at (980) 263-2330, The Plaza office at (980) 425-3100, or our Wesley Chapel office at (704) 946-5326.
If it’s been six months or more since your child’s last dental checkup, then it’s time to contact our practice and schedule an appointment!
Our Convenient Locations
Our Convenient Locations
We Can’t Wait To Meet You
Please use the form below to schedule your appointment with us. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can schedule through our online chat or by calling or texting the office.
Please use the form below to schedule your appointment with us. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can schedule through our online chat or by calling or texting the office.
