Fluoride varnishing
Research shows that fluoride varnish is highly effective at reducing tooth decay if it is applied twice a year.
What is fluoride varnish and what is it used for?
Fluoride varnish provides extra protection against tooth decay when used in addition to brushing. Fluoride varnish is a golden gel that sets quickly when it is applied to children’s teeth using a soft brush. The varnish sets quickly and has a pleasant taste and a fruity smell.
Scientific studies have shown that fluoride varnish gives added protection to teeth against decay when used in addition to brushing teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste.
Dental services
Your child should be offered fluoride varnish application at least twice yearly from the age of two. This is applied to teeth twice a year at the dental practice by a member of the dental team.
Childsmile Nursery and Childsmile School
In targetted nurseries and schools in each health board area, children are offered a further two fluoride varnishing applications. For some children this will mean they will have four applications of fluoride varnish per year. These additional applications will give additional protection to your child’s teeth.
You should let your dental practice know if fluoride varnish has recently been applied at nursery or school. This allows the dental practice to space out your child’s fluoride varnish applications to ensure maximum benefit.
On the day of application
Fluoride varnish won’t be applied if your child has sore areas in their mouth.
Some children will not have fluoride varnish applied because they have previously been hospitalised due to asthma or allergies. If this is true for your child, a full individual risk assessment will be carried out by your dentist and a decision taken on whether it is clinically appropriate for fluoride varnish to be applied.
Some children may be taking fluoride drops or tablets. These should not be taken the day before, the day of, and the day after application. They should then continue as normal.
Are there any risks?
Children who consume too much fluoride can develop white spots on their teeth. This is not tooth decay. The risk of developing white spots as a result of fluoride varnish is small and can be treated.
After the application
The fluoride varnish should remain on the child's teeth for the rest of the day and also overnight to provide the most benefit.
Please make sure:
- children only eat soft foods for the rest of the day - this helps to reduce chewing
- children do not brush their teeth that evening but from the following morning please do brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.