Fluoride Varnish

The Childsmile programme, recommends that we paint your child’s teeth, at least every 6 months, with a fluoride varnish called Duraphat, from the age of 2 until they are around 10 years old.

The fluoride varnish provides extra protection against tooth decay when used in addition to brushing with a fluoride toothpaste.

The fluoride varnish is a golden gel that sets quickly when applied to your child’s teeth using a soft brush.  It sets quickly and tastes of bananas. You will be given an instruction leaflet on the day which will explain more about the varnish.

Research has shown that this fluoride varnish is extremely effective at reducing dental decay if it is applied at least twice a year.

Your child may also be offered this varnish at school or nursery and these additional applications will give additional protection to your child’s teeth.

You should let your dental practice know if the fluoride varnish has recently been applied at nursery or school.

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.

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 very very 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.

Floride Tablets
Fluoride is not included in the water supply in our local area.

Your dentist may give your child a prescription for fluoride tablets.

The fluoride tablets will help to strengthen the teeth, and together with a good diet, they will help to prevent tooth decay.

It is important that your remember to give your child a tablet every day. We suggest you give them to your child after their evening meal.