What is fluoride varnish?

• A protective coating that is painted on the teeth
• Prevents new cavities and can help stop cavities that have already started by making tooth enamel harder

Why do you recommend putting fluoride varnish on children’s teeth?

• School age children in our area have a high rate of dental disease
• Tooth decay is one of the most preventable diseases seen in children
• Children as young as 12 months old can get cavities
• Cavities in baby teeth can cause pain and prevent children from being able to eat, speak, sleep and learn properly
• In our program, parents can have their child’s baby teeth checked, have the fluoride varnish applied and learn how to properly care for their child's teeth all at the same time

Who is eligible for the fluoride varnish?

• All children under 36 months of age
• Ideal timing for fluoride varnish is 12-18 months, but it can be applied as soon as the first baby teeth appear
• NO CHARGE for everyone, eligibility is not based on income and there are no strings attached

Why is fluoride varnish fine for my child, but fluoride toothpastes are not recommended for children younger than 3 years old?

• With toothpaste, young children tend to swallow more than they spit out
• Depending on how much they brush (1-4 times a day), this can be a lot of swallowed fluoride
• Too much ingested fluoride can lead to problems with developing teeth
• With the fluoride varnish application, the varnish hardens as soon as it comes into contact with saliva, preventing the child from ingested it
• Fluoride Varnish is approved by the FDA and Health Canada and is supported by the Canadian Dental Association

How is fluoride varnish put on the teeth?

• Teeth are dried and the varnish is painted on
• It is quick, painless, easy to apply and tastes like bubblegum

How long does it take to apply the varnish?

• Can take from a few seconds to a few minutes (depending on the number of teeth)

How often should this application be done?

• Will work best if it is reapplied 2-4 times a year

What do I do after the Fluoride Varnish has been applied?

• The child should not eat crunchy or sticky foods for the rest of the day
• Teeth should not be brushed until the next day
• Teeth will feel sticky and have a yellow appearance for a day, this is normal
• Children should not take fluoride supplements or treatments for 2-3 days after

What else can parents do to protect their child’s teeth from cavities?

• Brush their child’s teeth at least two times a day, and floss nightly for them
• Between mealtimes if they are thirsty, offer water only
• Never put children to bed with any liquid other than water

Where is the fluoride varnish available?

Call The Thunder Bay District Health Unit Preventive Dentistry Clinic at 625-5984 to book an appointment.