Fluoride is proven to be excellent for preventing tooth decay. We will assess how much fluoride your child is exposed to via brushing, mouthwashes and home water supply, tailoring advice to make sure there is just the right amount of exposure to fluoride for their age and cavity risk.
If we spot early lesions on the teeth or if a child is at high risk of decay we often recommend professional fluoride application 2-3 times per year. Usually this is in the form of fluoride varnish application, which has been shown to reduce decay by 33-45%. This is a flavoured paste (like concentrated toothpaste) applied to clean dry teeth on target areas. It is recommended not to eat or drink for 1 hour afterwards for maximum benefit.
