For decades, fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental community as an essential mineral that is absorbed into and strengthens tooth enamel, thereby helping to prevent decay of tooth structures. Fluoride is a compound of fluorine, which can be found throughout nature in water, soil, air, and food.  By adding fluoride into our drinking water, it can be absorbed easily into tooth enamel, especially in children’s growing teeth, which helps to reduce tooth decay.

Topical fluoride strengthens the teeth once they have erupted by seeping into the outer surface of the tooth enamel, making the teeth more resistant to decay. We gain topical fluoride by using fluoride-containing dental products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and gels. Here at Handley Dental, we generally recommend that children have a professional application of fluoride twice a year during dental check-ups.

Fluoride is applied as a varnish during a dental appointment. The teeth are dried, so the fluoride doesn’t become diluted. To strengthen them, Dr. Handley can paint fluoride varnish directly on parts of the teeth that are most likely to get a cavity. This is an advantage of varnish over gel or foam. Varnish also contains a powerful concentration of fluoride. Topical fluoride comes in a variety of flavors, but the fluoride should never be swallowed.