Adult Cavity Prevention: Fluoride Varnish

You take good care of your teeth by flossing and brushing daily. However, if you are still experiencing cavities or your dentist has mentioned that you have incipient cavities, then you may be a good candidate for a fluoride varnish treatment. Note: See your dentist before starting any additional fluoride treatments.

What is a Fluoride Varnish Treatment?

I recently experienced my first fluoride varnish treatment at a regular dental checkup. My dental x-ray revealed that I had some incipient cavities in several places. My dentist advised that additional fluoride treatments can actually help to re-mineralize the teeth and prevent the needed for future fillings.

The fluoride varnish is a sticky gel that the dentist or assistant applies to your teeth using a brush. There are several flavors of varnish available, and I received a melon flavor. The flavor is not too strong. The application took less than 5 minutes and involved no pain or discomfort. The gel does dry clear.

My dentist advised me not to eat or drink anything for about 30 minutes. I was also advised not to have hot beverages for the remainder of the day.

Since the fluoride varnish is very sticky, brushing it off can take some time. My dentist did advise me that I could brush it off later that night before bed or leave it on overnight for maximum benefit. I brushed most of the varnish off my teeth the next morning. The few bits of varnish that did not brush off felt a bit sticky, but eventually wore off later in the day.

You may be able to have a fluoride varnish treatment applied with each regular dental cleaning exam for maximum cavity prevention. Check with your dentist to see if this plan will work for you.

How does Fluoride Varnish Help Prevent Cavities?

Fluoride can help re-mineralize your teeth. As a result, this treatment can help prevent future cavities as well as help reverse the damage caused by incipient cavities.

An incipient cavity is basically the very early evidence or formation of a cavity on the outer layer of enamel. Your dentist may learn that you have an incipient by viewing your dental x-ray.

How Much Does a Fluoride Treatment Cost? Does Insurance Cover the Cost?

Check with your dental plan to see if fluoride treatment is a covered procedure. My out-of-pocket cost was about $35 since my plan did not cover it at this time. However, both my dentist and I agreed that the fluoride varnish is a very cost effective preventative measure that will pay for itself with fewer cavities. By preventing future cavities and restoring a current incipient, I will save money on future dental costs.

Sources:
personal experience
ISPUB
Healthy Dentist
Soft Dental