Why is it important to take To learn more about varnish, talk to your , or contact: Fluoride care of baby teeth? Baby teeth: Oral Health Program Varnish Division of Family Health • Help your child chew food. North Dakota Department of Health • Help your child speak clearly. 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 301 Bismarck, N.D. 58505-0200 • Guide the permanent teeth into place. 800.472.2286 (toll-free) • Help with jaw and face formation. www.ndhealth.gov/oralhealth • Add to your child’s good health. • Make a pretty smile.

Children do not lose all their baby teeth until they are about 11 or 12 years old; therefore, it is important to protect their teeth from cavities.

Adapted from the Oral Health Program, Michigan Department of Health Protect Your

November 2007 Child’s Smile What is fluoride varnish? At what age should fluoride Is fluoride varnish safe? Fluoride varnish is a protective coating that is varnish be applied? Yes, fluoride varnish can be used on babies painted on teeth to help prevent new cavities Fluoride varnish is recommended for children from the time they have their first teeth. Only a and to help stop cavities that have already of all ages, including infants. very small amount of fluoride varnish is used. started. Who will provide this service? The paint-on fluoride varnish is sticky, so it How is fluoride varnish attaches to the teeth easily and makes the outer applied to the teeth? A trained health professional will apply the layer (enamel) of the teeth harder, helping to fluoride varnish to your child’s teeth. prevent cavities. The fluoride varnish is easily painted on the teeth with a small disposable brush. It is quick, painless and does not have a bad taste. What should parents do after Why is fluoride varnish fluoride varnish is applied to a recommended for children’s child’s teeth? teeth? • Do not brush decay is one of the most common or floss your preventable diseases seen in children. Children child’s teeth as young as 12 to 18 months can get cavities. until bedtime. Cavities in children’s teeth can cause pain and prevent children from eating, speaking, • Don’t allow sleeping and learning. your child to eat hard or chewy foods or Does my child need fluoride chew gum on varnish? the treatment day. This might Children who are at risk for dental decay How long does fluoride chip off the or who do not live in communities with varnish last? varnish. fluoridated water benefit from the application The fluoride varnish sticks to the teeth until of fluoride varnish to their teeth to help stop or it is brushed away at bedtime; however, the • Do not give your child a fluoride prevent decay. benefits of the fluoride will last for several supplement on the treatment day. months. Fluoride varnish needs to be reapplied • The fluoride varnish can be yellow or clear. every three to four months for best results. If the teeth appear yellow for 24 hours, this is normal. This yellow color will disappear when the teeth are brushed at bedtime.