Fluoride Varnish Helps Prevent Tooth Decay

Kids and adults are still getting cavities. Now there is a low cost and easy way to reduce the need for major dental reconstruction.  Westcoast is leading the way in Vietnam with Fluoride varnishes as the newest reommended preventive treatment by most Western Dental Associations.

What is a Fluoride Varnish?

A Fluoride varnish is a liquid coating containing concentrated fluoride that is painted onto teeth the same way that nail polish is put onto nails. It only requires a minute to paint on the teeth and a minute to dry, instantly.

How Does it Work?

Fluoride is a natural element found to be the most effective mineral to keep people’s teeth from decaying. When applying it in the form of a varnish, the effect of hardening the teeth is substantial. Even early cavities can harden without the need to be drilled and filled. The liquid needs to be reapplied every three to six months to maintain its effectiveness. Fluoride varnish can also be used on babies as soon as they have teeth.

“Fluoride varnish has been approved by the American Dental Association as a safe and effective way to prevent dental caries in young children”, says Dr. Claire Thanh Kervyn. “With this treatment, we have a great opportunity to prevent childhood tooth decay and promote the overall health of a child.”

Fluoride varnish is relatively inexpensive, easy to brush onto a child’s teeth, and can be part of a positive first dental visit to help prevent tooth decay.

Researches from UCSF School of Dentistry found in 2006, that the varnish reduces the incidence of early childhood tooth decay.  Children who did not receive fluoride varnish were nearly four times more likely to develop tooth decay than those assigned to receive it twice per year (four treatments over two years).

Why This May Be Beneficial For Your Kids

The problems associated with children who get many cavities, is they get them in many parts of the mouth. Therefore needing many dental appointments. The younger the child is the harder these appointments become for the kid (and the dentist). It is difficult for them to sit still for dental treatment and the whole dental experience becomes bad one. Early prevention can simply reduce these appointments, reducing unnecessary stress and heavy costs for the future. It’s an easy, low-cost way to keep teeth healthy.  In Vietnam, getting caries is easy with all the sugary sweet drinks and sodas that are available to help you keep cool.

Tooth decay is the single most common childhood disease among the world’s children. If not prevented or left untreated, tooth decay can impact a child’s overall health by increasing their risk of developing diseases, such as diabetes, that are associated with poor oral health.

The use of a fluoride varnish every three to six months on a child has been shown to be an excellent cost effective and easy preventive procedure for children. Our dental clinics in Vietnam now offers fluoride varnish services to prevent dental problems such as Early Childhood Caries (tooth decay) which can start as soon as a child has teeth.