Preventing Tooth Decay

Read more about the article Facts About Dental Sealants

Facts About Dental Sealants

Dental Sealants

Sealants are a thin, plastic coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth, usually the back teeth (molars), that a Dental Office uses to prevent tooth decay. The painted on liquid sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and groves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of the tooth.

Dental sealants are intended for young children as soon as their first teeth come in. Decay is most common in the molars, so taking your child to dentist’s office for sealants right when you see the molars grow in gives your child the best chance to fight tooth decay. A child’s first set of permanent molars grow in between ages five and seven, while the second permanent molars come in between 11 and 14 years of age. A sealant creates a smoother tooth surface, one that’s easier to clean and therefore more resistant to the formation of decay.

How long do sealants last?

It’s difficult to say how long a sealant will last. Diet, oral habits and oral hygiene are huge factor determining factors. Expect to have a dentist check the sealant at every visit to the office. They will look at the sealant and determine if it needs to be replaced. Sealants need to be checked for chipping or wear.

Procedure

By bonding dental sealant into the grooves of a tooth, a dentist can make a tooth’s surface smoother. As a result, there are no longer any locations where the bristles of a toothbrush can’t reach and clean. The tooth is now at less risk for developing a cavity.

For starters, the teeth are cleaned carefully, and then dried with an absorbent material. A mild acid solution is applied to them to roughen them slightly. This is done so the sealant can bond properly to the teeth. Then the teeth are rinsed and dried, and the sealant material is painted on and dried with a special light.

Molars are susceptible to decay early on, which is why sealants are an important treatment to get for your children’s first set of teeth.

If you have questions about dental sealants and planning to have them for your children, talk to our general dentists at Expressions Dental.

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Read more about the article How Can I Prevent Cavities / Tooth Decay?

How Can I Prevent Cavities / Tooth Decay?

Cavities, also known as tooth decay, occur when plaque, the sticky substance that forms on teeth, combines with the sugars and / or starches of the foods that we eat. This combination produces acids that attack tooth enamel.

Follow these dental hygiene practices to prevent cavities:

  1. Brush your teeth – In the fight against cavities, it is essential that you brush your teeth properly at least twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride.

  2. Floss daily – Food debris gets caught in between our teeth when we eat. If the debris is not removed, it can lead to cavities. Flossing every day is the best way to remove food debris from in between the teeth.

  3. Eat healthy – Proper nutrition plays an important role in good dental health. Eating nutritional snacks and limiting the amount of sugar intake will help to prevent plaque from forming on the teeth.

  4. Visit your dentist – Many cavities can only be detected by a dentist or a dental X-ray. Visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings are a key factor in preventing cavities and staying on top of good oral hygiene.

  5. Have sealants placed – Dental sealants are a protective coating that is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant protects the tooth from getting a cavity by shielding against bacteria and plaque. Sealants are more common in children because of the new growth of permanent teeth; however, sealants can benefit adults too.

  6. Use a mouthwash – There are several antimicrobial mouthwashes on the market that have been clinically proven to reduce plaque. Rinsing with one of these mouthwashes after brushing or eating can aid in cavity prevention.

  7. Chew sugarless gum – Believe it or not, chewing certain sugarless gums can actually help to prevent cavities by increasing the flow of saliva in your mouth.

It is especially important to keep an eye on how often your child eats as well as what he/she eats. You should limit between-meal snacks to reduce the number of acid attacks on teeth and to give teeth a chance to repair themselves. Limit their intake of candies, cookies, soda and other sugary drinks. Make sure your child doesn’t eat or drink anything with sugar after bedtime tooth brushing. Don’t forget to supervise young children when they brush. Since most cavities in children and adolescents develop in the molars, it’s best to get these teeth sealed as soon as they come in.

Ref: www.dentistry.com
www.nidcr.nih.gov

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