How long does fluoride varnish last?

Have you ever wondered why your dentist recommends dental cleaning products with fluoride? It’s because of fluoride’s natural ability to help strengthen the enamel of teeth. Many over the counter toothpastes and mouthwashes contain fluoride, and can help keep your teeth strong, clean, and cavity-free.  

But have you ever heard of fluoride varnish and wondered what it does? If so, keep reading because in this Aspen Dental guide, we’re going to discuss that and more. 

What is fluoride varnish and what does it do?

Both children and adults alike can reap the benefits from fluoride varnish treatment.  

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is not only found in nature (in soil, rocks, and water), but also in our bones and teeth. Because it is known to strengthen and protect our teeth’s enamel, it is commonly added to dental products such as toothpastes and mouthwashes. In addition to regular visits to your dentist, brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and rinsing your mouth with fluoride mouthwash is one of the best ways to ensure you’re maintaining optimal oral health.  

Fluoride is also typically added in small amounts to municipal tap water to ensure residents are getting enough in their diet to help keep the enamel of their teeth protected.  

Getting enough fluoride through your dental products and drinking water can:  

• Help strengthen your tooth enamel 

• Slow down or possibly reverse signs tooth decay 

• Aid in the prevention of cavities

•  Help slow bacterial growth
  
  

But did you know there is an additional way to get fluoride to help your teeth? Fluoride varnish is a treatment done by your dentist that involves applying a concentrated form of fluoride to your teeth. This varnish has more fluoride in it than your typical fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash, and it is designed to last much longer on your teeth as well. If you’re going in for a fluoride varnish treatment, this is typically because your dentist wants to give you a little extra protection when it comes to the enamel of your teeth.  

Fluoride varnish is applied when your dentist notices some weak or decaying areas of your tooth and wants to stop or reverse this damage. By applying the varnish directly to the affected teeth, the concentrated fluoride can immediately go to work. After application, the varnish is absorbed by the enamel and can begin to strengthen and protect the weak areas of the tooth.  

What are the benefits of fluoride varnish?

It’s important to take care of your teeth every day. When you have the right amount of fluoride from dental cleaning products and fluoride varnish to help protect your tooth enamel, you’re setting yourself up for success. 

If you think that getting a fluoride varnish treatment could be a good idea for you, it might be helpful to know what some of the benefits are that you can expect. 

Strengthens tooth enamel 

The major benefit of doing a fluoride varnish is that it is proven to provide extra strength and protection to tooth enamel. Although tooth enamel is very hard and durable, the bacteria present in plaque can start to weaken this hard surface over time. 

As the bacteria produce acid from consuming starches and sugars, the acid starts to eventually erode the tooth enamel. While you might not see any noticeable changes at first, over time, you may start to feel and see a cavity form or other evidence of decay. You want to do everything you can to ensure you prevent or stop tooth decay from worsening. Decay can lead to gum disease if it is not treated, as well as sensitive teeth.  

Getting a fluoride varnish will give teeth an extra layer of security, and work to prevent the demineralization process for several months. The fluoride in the varnish helps the tooth remineralize by allowing the easier absorption of calcium and phosphate, which are the two main ingredients of enamel. As the tooth remineralizes, you will notice a slowdown in tooth decay. 

Keeps bacteria in check

Fluoride varnish not only strengthens enamel by promoting the remineralization process, it is also responsible for keeping the harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay and cavities in check. When teeth are not cleaned properly and plaque removed consistently, it can lead to bacteria production. 

This bacteria feeds on the starches and sugars not removed from the mouth, which causes them to produce acid. These acid attacks can become very problematic when they are not cared for. When you have a fluoride varnish applied, it works to protect the tooth enamel by preventing an abundance of the bacteria responsible for tooth decay. Fluoride varnish treatments are not meant to replace proper oral hygiene, and it is still crucial that you stick to brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, using mouthwash and visiting your dentist for regular check-ups.  

Decreases cavity risk

Fluoride will aid in eliminating acidity which helps keep the oral environment at the proper pH. Acid results in the demineralization of your tooth, which can lead to cavities. Without the overabundance of bacteria, there’s less chance of acid attacks that result in the formation of cavities over time. 

Saves you money

Preventative measures will save you money in the long run and lessons the chance of needing more expensive and invasive treatment. It's best to deal with these dental issues as they arise.

Is completely safe 

Fluoride varnish treatments are safe, and if recommended by your dentist, you should consider getting them. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, and it has been proven to help strengthen enamel and help prevent cavities. It is also recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) among many other medical organizations.

What happens at your fluoride varnish appointment?  

If you and your dentist decide that you could benefit from a fluoride varnish treatment, that's great news. A fluoride varnish application is one of the most straightforward dental procedures. It is relatively comfortable and takes little time to complete. Let's take a step-by-step look.  

Step one 

Once you’re in the dental office, your dentist will first do an initial exam and your hygienist will professionally clean your teeth. This is to ensure that all the plaque and tartar are removed, and your teeth and gums are clean. If you are having a fluoride treatment done for your child, the pediatric dentist will typically clean their teeth like usual or will wipe off the teeth with cotton. This all depends on the age of your child. 

Step two

Then the fluoride varnish is applied evenly throughout your mouth. This is usually done with a small brush. There are all kinds of flavors of varnish you can choose from. The varnish can either be clear or have a slight yellow tint to it. If your teeth look a little yellow after application, not to worry, this will disappear the next time you brush your teeth.  

Step three

After the varnish is applied, that’s it, you can expect it to protect and strengthen your teeth for the next three to four months. However, your dentist will discuss some post-application care tips in order to make sure you get the most out of each fluoride varnish treatment. 

Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes

Your dentist will ask that after the varnish is applied, you wait at least 30 minutes before you eat or drink. This is to prevent you from accidentally taking the varnish off before it’s had time to settle. You wouldn’t want to introduce food or drinks too soon, as this may decrease the strength of the fluoride varnish and not give you the best results. 

Brush your teeth the next day

Seek this advice from your dentist. Some will recommend only waiting 30-60 minutes before brushing again. This gives the varnish a good amount of time to begin to be absorbed by the tooth enamel. You are free to brush the morning after your fluoride varnish application and continue to brush as you normally would in the days after. Eventually the varnish will wear off, but by then the fluoride will be absorbed. 

Avoid certain foods

To get the best possible results from your fluoride varnish treatment, dentists recommend you avoid crunchy, hard or chewy foods for the remainder of the day after your appointment. These types of foods have been known to cause the varnish to scrape off. 

Only consume certain foods and drinks

While you’re waiting for the fluoride varnish to absorb, it’s a good idea to consume only cold, room temperature or warm food and drinks. Your dentist will likely instruct you to refrain from hot food and drinks, as this may cause some of the varnish to come off before it has had a chance to absorb. 

If you follow these recommendations and any other advice from your dentist, you’ll be sure to get the full benefits of the fluoride varnish treatment.  

Are there any side effects to fluoride varnish?

As we’ve discussed, fluoride varnish has many benefits both for children and adults. These treatments are great for anyone who needs a little extra protection for their tooth enamel, and who wants to decrease the risk of tooth decay and cavities. However, are there any side effects from undergoing fluoride varnish treatments? 

Fluoride varnish is safe and effective, and recommended by many medical associations. However, some people may experience side effects such as: 

• Mouth sores 

• Allergic rashes 

• Nausea 
  
  

One issue that can develop from too much fluoride is fluorosis. This can manifest in children as white spots on the teeth. This only occurs when too much fluoride has been ingested. This is why it is very important to monitor the brushing behavior of your child, to ensure they are properly spitting out the toothpaste. If you (or your child) are taking fluoride drops or tablets, make sure you also mention this to your dentist. 

The risk of fluorosis only occurs when the fluoride consumed is in very high doses. The amount of fluoride you get with fluoride varnish is very low and is fine to include along with your regular fluoride toothpaste and fluoridated drinking water. 

Although some sources claim that fluoride is cause for concern, there are not enough medical studies to correlate correct doses of fluoride with detrimental consequences. If you’re getting your fluoride varnish treatments from a dental professional, you will be getting the correct amount of fluoride you need to protect your teeth.  

Ready for your fluoride varnish treatment? 

Fluoride varnish treatments are a good idea for both children and adults alike who need extra help strengthening their teeth. If you're concerned about the strength of your teeth, consider speaking with your dentist about fluoride varnish. 

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