Topical fluoride varnish: benefits and side effects

Oral and dental care is often underestimated by many people. In fact, taking care of your mouth and teeth is as important as maintaining the health of your entire body. One form of treatment your dentist may recommend is fluoride varnish. This tooth varnish or varnish with fluorine substance has been used for a long time to prevent dental caries.

However, what exactly is a fluoride varnish treatment? Is it really effective for children and adults? So, before you undergo this treatment at the dentist, consider the following important facts.

What is fluoride varnish?

Fluoride varnish is a special calcium-like substance that is applied to strengthen the enamel layer of the teeth. This substance has been declared safe by the World Health Organization (WHO) and has been used by dentists around the world, including Indonesia.

This substance is useful for preventing tooth decay or caries. In some cases, dentists may also recommend this treatment for those of you who have sensitive tooth problems.

Dentists will usually apply fluoride varnish according to the dose that has been determined. This substance doesn't take long to be absorbed by the teeth, so you don't have to worry about ingesting this substance.

Benefits and side effects of fluoride varnish for children's teeth

Tooth varnish treatment with fluorine is highly recommended for children aged 2-14 years. The reason is, a number of studies have proven that fluoride varnish has a success rate of up to 43 percent in preventing caries and plaque buildup on teeth. Children are more prone to dental caries than adults.

According to recommendations from various official health agencies around the world, such as the UK, Australia and the United States, it is best for children to receive regular fluoride varnish treatment. Consult directly with the pediatric dentist how often the child needs to treat teeth with fluoride varnish. Doctors usually advise children to be varnished about twice a year.

However, this treatment may have some side effects for the child. Consider the following possibilities.

• Allergies with symptoms of swelling of the lips, tongue, and face, itching, or difficulty breathing.
• Stomach ache.
• Headache.
• Teeth discolored yellow, brown, or blackened.
  

Uses and side effects of fluoride dental varnish in adults

Adults and seniors (seniors) are basically not required to undergo fluoride varnish treatment. However, you can still get many benefits from this treatment.

As explained by drg. Mark Burhenne, dental health and beauty specialist from the United States, adults are more prone to experience tooth erosion and sensitivity problems. Meanwhile, the elderly are more susceptible to root dental caries. Dental fluoride varnish can help overcome these problems.

There is no specific recommendation how many times adults and the elderly need to do this treatment. We recommend that you consult directly with your dentist after conducting the examination.

The side effects that may appear after adults or the elderly undergo this treatment are the same as side effects in children. Also pay attention to the risk of fluoride overdose which is characterized by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle stiffness, to seizures. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your dentist before having this treatment.