What’s the Sticky Substance Dentists Paint on Teeth? - Tots To Teens (2024)

What’s the Sticky Substance Dentists Paint on Teeth? - Tots To Teens (1) February 21, 2020 6:44 pm

At Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry, we strive to make your child’s dental visits as stress-free as possible. Part of this involves answering their questions using kid-friendly language. A common question we get, “What’s that sticky substance painted on my teeth?” Read on to learn about this treatment, called a fluoride varnish.

What’s a Fluoride Varnish?

Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral. Research shows sufficient fluoride exposure significantly decreases the occurrence of tooth decay for patients of all ages.

Fluoride strengthens and hardens the outer layer of teeth. It fortifies teeth against acids produced by bacteria and reverses early-stage decay. Without fluoride, teeth become more vulnerable to decay and cavities. As part of our routine preventive dental care, we will paint a thin layer of fluoride varnish onto your child’s teeth at their appointment to help protect their teeth.

While too much fluoride early in life can cause some tooth discoloration called dental fluorosis, it is uncommon. But if you’re concerned that your child is being exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride, consult with our expert team!

After a Fluoride Treatment

Once we paint on the fluoride varnish in our office, it sets quickly so your child can immediately resume their normal activities. At home, continue to help your child maintain superb oral healthcare habits, such as brushing twice a day for two minutes each time, flossing every day, drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet, and wearing an athletic mouthguard if they play sports.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Although some parents don’t take their kids to see a dentist until they’re in school, we recommend bringing your child to visit us by their first birthday. As your child’s teeth erupt, we’ll provide dental advice tailored to their age and specific needs.

Your family will love our kid-centric office and friendly team. Contact our Kerrville dental office today to set up your child’s next appointment.

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Categorised in: Kids Dental Care, Kids Teeth, Pediatric Dentist, Preventive Dental Care

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What’s the Sticky Substance Dentists Paint on Teeth? - Tots To Teens (2024)

FAQs

What’s the Sticky Substance Dentists Paint on Teeth? - Tots To Teens? ›

As part of our routine preventive dental care, we will paint a thin layer of fluoride varnish onto your child's teeth at their appointment to help protect their teeth.

What do they paint on kids' teeth at the dentist? ›

Fluoride varnish is painted on the top and sides of each tooth with a small brush. It is sticky but hardens once it comes in contact with saliva. Your child may feel the hardened varnish with his tongue but will not be able to lick the varnish off.

What is the sticky stuff the dentist put on my teeth? ›

Dental fluoride varnish is painted on all parts of the teeth and quickly hardens after saliva touches it. You may eat and drink right away but try to avoid crunchy foods or hot beverages as they may remove the varnish.

What is the stuff dentists paint on teeth? ›

Fluoride varnish can be applied to both baby teeth and adult teeth by a dentist. The process involves painting a varnish containing high levels of fluoride onto the surface of the tooth twice a year to prevent decay. It works by strengthening tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.

What is the sticky film on my teeth? ›

Plaque is a sticky film that coats teeth and contains bacteria. If plaque is not removed on a regular basis, it will harden and turn into tartar (calculus).

Is SDF safe for kids? ›

Silver diamine fluoride application is internationally-recognized for its safety and effectiveness of treating and preventing cavities. SDF is a commonly-used tooth decay treatment option in infants all the way through the loss of the last baby tooth.

What are the risks of SDF? ›

Its potential downsides include a reportedly unpleasant metallic taste, potential to irritate gingival and mucosal surfaces, and the characteristic black staining of the tooth surfaces to which it is applied.

What is the paste dentists put on children's teeth? ›

Fluoride varnish is a golden gel that is applied to a dried tooth surface by trained dental professionals. It has a pleasant taste and a fruity smell. It helps to prevent tooth decay by strengthening the teeth, and has shown to be most effective if applied to the teeth at least twice a year.

What is the sticky film on teeth consisting? ›

Bacteria present in the plaque can only affect the teeth.

Should adults get fluoride varnish? ›

Fluoride varnish is applied to the surfaces of teeth with a small brush to make them more resistant to cavities. It can be applied by a dental hygienist, dentist, nurse, physician, or other health professional. Fluoride varnish is recommended for children and adults to help prevent cavities.

What is the white paint dentists put on your teeth? ›

White fillings can also be called dental composite and they are the tooth-coloured resins used to fill cavities. This composite resin is made of a blend of plastics and fillers such as silica and dimethylglyoxime which bond with the tooth's surface.

What is the name of the gum paint used in dentistry? ›

Dencure Gum Paint is used in the treatment of inflammation of gums. It kills the harmful microorganisms in the oral cavity that cause swollen gums, and tartar, bad odor from the mouth. This way it cleans the affected area and speeds up healing.

Is fluoride varnish safe for kids? ›

Fluoride varnish is safe to use on babies' and young children's teeth.

What is the sticky stuff dentists put on teeth after cleaning? ›

Topical fluoride: This is applied directly to the teeth in the form of a gel, foam, or varnish. It's often used in dental offices during routine cleanings or checkups.

What is the sticky biofilm on my teeth? ›

Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth every day: You know, that slippery/fuzzy coating you feel when you first wake up. Scientists call plaque a “biofilm” because it's actually a community of living microbes surrounded by a gluey polymer layer.

What is the waxy film on my teeth? ›

In dentistry, we call this film plaque, and it feels sticky and furry when we run our tongue over it. Dental plaque buildup is easy to manage with regular brushing and flossing, but failure to remove plaque can lead to some serious dental presentations such as: tooth decay. worn tooth enamel.

What is the coating on teeth for kids? ›

Fluoride varnish and fissure sealants

The sealant can last for as long as 5 to 10 years. Fluoride varnish can be applied to both baby teeth and adult teeth. It involves painting a varnish that contains high levels of fluoride onto the surface of the tooth every 6 months to prevent decay.

What is the sealant they put on kids teeth? ›

Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants are put on in dentists' offices, clinics, and sometimes in schools. Getting sealants put on is simple and painless. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth.

What do dentists coat kids teeth with? ›

What are dental sealants? Sealants are thin, liquid coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (premolars and molars). Once applied, a dentist cures and hardens the sealant material to shield and protect your teeth from harmful cavity-causing bacteria.

Is fluoride varnish bad for children? ›

They are safe and will give added protection to your child's teeth. practice to space out your child's fluoride varnish applications to ensure the maximum benefit.

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