What Not to Eat After Fluoride Treatment?
What to Do After Fluoride Treatment?
After your child gets a fluoride treatment, it’s important to let the fluoride do its job to keep their teeth strong and healthy. For the first 30 minutes to one hour, don’t let them eat or drink anything so the fluoride can stay on their teeth. Also, don’t brush or floss their teeth for about four to six hours to avoid rubbing off the fluoride.
For the first two hours, give them only soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, bananas, or soup so the coating stays in place. After six hours, they can go back to brushing and flossing like normal. Avoid using any special fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash for the next three days so they don’t get too much fluoride. Following these simple steps will help the treatment work well and keep your child’s smile healthy.
Reasons to Avoid Certain Foods After Fluoride Treatment
After a fluoride treatment, it’s important to avoid certain foods and drinks so the treatment can work properly and protect your child’s teeth. They must avoid certain foods post-fluoride treatment to:
- Prevent sensitivity
- Keep bacteria away
- Give the treatment time to work
- Protect the fluoride coating
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Food and Drinks to Avoid After Fluoride Treatment
To help fluoride treatment work well and protect the teeth from cavities, it’s important to avoid the following foods and drinks right after the treatment:
- Acidic Foods and Drinks: Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruit, as well as pickles, tomatoes, and citrus juices, are very acidic. These can weaken or wash away the fluoride coating on your teeth.
- Hard and Sticky Foods: Foods like hard candies, nuts, popcorn, ice, taffy, caramel, and chewing gum can pull off or damage the fluoride layer. Sticky foods can also get stuck between your teeth and block the fluoride from working properly.
- Hot Drinks: Drinks like tea and coffee can melt or wash away the fluoride if you have them too soon. It’s best to wait at least 30 minutes before drinking anything hot.
- Sugary Foods and Drinks: Soda, sports drinks, fruit juice, and other sugary items help bacteria grow, which fluoride is trying to fight. Avoid these right after your treatment to keep your teeth protected.
- Hot or Cold Foods: Very hot or cold foods like soup, ice cream, or spicy dishes can make your teeth feel sensitive after treatment. It’s better to avoid them for a while.
- Crunchy Snacks: Snacks like pretzels, chips, and other crunchy foods can damage the fluoride coating and irritate your teeth, so it’s best to stay away from them for a few hours.
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Wrapping Up
Fluoride varnish is a great way to protect your child’s teeth from cavities and decay. However, to make sure it works well, it’s important to know what not to eat post-treatment. Following the right practices will help the fluoride do its job and keep teeth strong and healthy.
Time for your child’s fluoride treatment? Visit our board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Jasmine Ghanem, at LuxDen Kids. Call us at (347) 391-0744 to book an appointment.