My youngest grandson is the same way—he’d rather eat broccoli than sit still for that varnish. The dentist tried to convince us it was “just a quick paint,” but you’d think we were asking him to gargle hot sauce. I do remember those days of sticky lips and suspicious looks every time we mentioned brushing.
Honestly, I’ve gone back and forth on whether it’s really necessary for kids who are already pretty diligent about brushing and don’t have a history of cavities. My own teeth, well, let’s just say I’ve seen the inside of a dentist’s office more than I’d like, but most of my issues cropped up before fluoride varnishes were even a thing. We survived on good old-fashioned toothpaste and a lot of nagging from my mother.
The cost is no joke either. Forty bucks every few months adds up, especially if your insurance is stingy. If your daughter’s got no cavities and you’re keeping sugar in check, I honestly don’t see the harm in skipping it now and then. I know the varnish is supposed to give an extra layer of protection, but if it’s turning toothbrushing into a weekly battle, that seems counterproductive.
I figure, pick your battles. If she’s not eating sticky candy and you’re helping her brush, odds are she’ll be fine. Maybe when she’s older she’ll tolerate it better—or they’ll come out with a flavor that doesn’t taste like someone melted down a crayon. Until then, I’d focus on keeping dental care as stress-free as possible. Kids remember the drama more than the science anyway.
- I get wanting to avoid drama, but I’m not totally convinced skipping the varnish is always harmless.
- My niece brushed and ate healthy, but still ended up with a couple tiny cavities—dentist said some kids just have softer enamel.
- Forty bucks stings, but fixing a cavity later is way pricier (and way more stressful for kids).
- Maybe not every visit, but I’d still do it sometimes, just for peace of mind.
- The taste is rough though...wish they’d fix that.
Is it really that big a deal if you skip it once or twice though? I get the whole “better safe than sorry” thing, but I worry about overdoing fluoride too. Does it actually make a difference if your kid’s already brushing well?
Does it actually make a difference if your kid’s already brushing well?
That’s what I keep wondering too. My son’s super diligent about brushing—he’s the type who reminds me if we’re running late at bedtime. We did skip the fluoride varnish once because he’d just had a cleaning and I figured, what’s the harm? But then at his next checkup, the dentist pointed out some early spots on his molars and asked if we’d been keeping up with the varnish. It made me second-guess whether skipping it even once or twice could actually matter.
I get being cautious about too much fluoride, though. My cousin’s kid had those white spots from overexposure, so I’m always trying to find that balance. I guess my main question is how much difference does the varnish make if the basics—brushing, flossing—are already covered? Or is it just an extra layer of protection for those “just in case” situations?
I guess my main question is how much difference does the varnish make if the basics—brushing, flossing—are already covered? Or is it just an extra layer of protection for those “just in case” situations?
We’ve had almost the exact same debate at our house. My daughter’s a really careful brusher, and we’re strict about limiting sugar, so I honestly thought we were good. But her dentist still pushed for the varnish every six months. I was a bit skeptical, but after she had a tiny cavity pop up last year (even with all the brushing), I started wondering if there’s just stuff you can’t control at home.
The white spots thing is what worries me too though—don’t want to overdo it. Has anyone’s dentist ever said it’s okay to skip the varnish if your kid’s teeth look healthy? Or do they just recommend it for every kid no matter what? I’m curious if it’s more about the dentist’s policy than actual need.