A Great Fluoride Treatment for Kids

Here’s an easy, safe, painless way to protect your child against cavities.

A child's open mouth get fluoride applied to the teeth by a dentist who is wearing white latex gloves.

Fluoride varnish is a protective coating that helps prevent cavities. This painless treatment also helps to keep cavities that already exist from getting worse. It takes only a few minutes and your child’s dental benefit covers it at no added cost for you.

Dentists all over the world recommend and use fluoride varnish to protect against cavities. It’s so harmless that even babies can have it. The dentist can brush fluoride varnish onto the surface of the teeth during any regular checkup.

Some fluoride varnishes are tasteless, and some have flavors that kids love, such as watermelon, bubblegum and mint. Sometimes the varnish has a temporary light-yellow tint, but that goes away the next time you brush your child’s teeth.

The dentist is an expert and knows exactly how much fluoride varnish is good for your child. Depending on how likely your child is to get cavities, the dentist may advise the treatment 2 to 4 times per year.

What to Do for Kids After a Fluoride Varnish Treatment

After your child gets fluoride varnish during a dental checkup:

They can eat and drink, but it should be limited to soft and cold or warm (not hot) foods or liquids.
Do not brush or floss your child’s teeth for at least 4 to 6 hours. Your child's dentist may tell you to wait until the next morning to brush or floss their teeth.

DentaQuest is on a mission to improve the oral health of all. Schedule your child’s next checkup and be sure to ask about fluoride varnish. Remember, this treatment is safe, fast, effective, painless – and your benefits cover it.