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Fluoride Varnish Application

Why do we recommend fluoride varnish for very young children?


To prevent dental caries and in some cases reverse early dental caries Children with early childhood decay are more likely to get more decay Baby teeth are in a childs mouth until about age 11 or 12 Goes beyond pain and infection

Affects their speech Affects their ability to eat Affects their ability to learn Affects the way they feel about themselves

Who should receive fluoride varnish?

Children are at high risk for developing dental caries. Risk is determined by using the Caries Risk Assessment developed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists

Risk factors for dental caries are:

One or more of the following risk factors place a child at risk for dental caries:

History of dental decay in mother, child and/or other family members High sugar/complex carbohydrate diet (for example, bottle with formula, juice or sweetened liquid at night and/or all day long). Visible plaque, white spots and/or decay Low socioeconomic status Special health care needs Premature/Low birth weight Medications: sugar-based or that dry mouth

Fluoride Varnish

Safe Effective Doesnt take a lot of time

How does fluoride varnish work?

The lacquer-based product adheres to the dental enamel forming a depot from which fluoride is slowly released A dry tooth surface allows the uptake of the fluoride into the tooth surface Saliva actually sets the varnish

How does fluoride help remineralization?

Changes the reminerlization process Acts as a catalyst May stop or reverse progression of carious lesion Can make enamel more resistant to acid

Fluoride varnish products

Fluoride varnish is available from 3 different manufacturers. It consists of 5% NaF.


Duraflor (Pharmascience) Duraphat (Colgate) Cavity Shield (Omnii)

Preschool fluoride varnish study

225 3-year-olds Semiannual application of fluoride varnish 44% caries reduction after two years

Advantages of fluoride varnish

easy to apply teeth do not need professional prophylaxis children can eat and drink following applications potential ingestion of fluoride is low prevents caries

Frequency of Applications

2 to 4 applications per year.

White Spots

Knee to Knee Position

Fluoride Varnish Application


Clean and Dry Teeth

Apply Varnish with small brush

Fluoride Varnish Application


Apply varnish to

Anterior teeth Posterior teeth

Fluoride Varnish Application

The varnish hardens quickly after application as a yellow film The child can have a drink of water

Post application instructions for parents

Varnish will set on contact with saliva. Child can eat or drink right after application Do not brush your childs teeth tonight. Start brushing them tomorrow morning

Three Months Later

Remineralized Enamel

Establish the dental home

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends age one or within 6 months of eruption of the first tooth.

THANK YOU
Khashe , Ahmad Khoshfekr, Saeed Mokhtari, Farjad Kazemi, Hamid Jarah, Masoud

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