Prevention

American Dental Academy recommends a full cleaning, check up and fluoride treatment every six months.

Sealants

What causes decay?
Decay is caused by dental plaque a thin, sticky colorless deposit of bacteria that constantly forms on everyone’s teeth. When sugar is eaten, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack the tooth enamel After repeated acid attacks the enamel breaks down and a cavity (hole) is formed.

What is a Sealant?
Sealants are clear, shaded plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay most frequently occurs. This sealant acts as a barrier that protects decay prone areas of the teeth from plaque and acid.

Why are Sealants Necessary?
As the teeth develop, depressions and grooves form in the chewing surfaces of the enamel These features are called pits and fissures. They are impossible to keep clean, because the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach them. Therefore pits and fissures are snug places for plaque and bits of food to hide. By forming a thin covering over the pits and fissures, sealants keep out plaque and food and decrease the risk of decay.

Who Should Have Sealants Applied?
Although children receive significant benefits from sealants, adults can also be at risk for pit and fissure decay and therefore be candidates for sealants. Your dentist should advise you about the need for sealants. Sealants are also recommended for those who receive topical applications of fluoride and who live in communities with fluoridated water. Fluoride helps fight decay on the smooth surfaces of the teeth, but it is least effective in pits and fissures.

Now Are Sealants Applied?
Each tooth takes only a few minutes to seal. First, the teeth that will be sealed are cleaned. The chewing surfaces are then etched (roughened) with a weak acidic solution to help the sealant adhere to the teeth. Finally, the sealant is brushed on the tooth enamel and allowed to harden. Some sealants need a special curing light to help them harden; others do not.

Do Sealants Need to Be Replaced?
When the sealant is applied, finger-like strands penetrate the pits and fissures of the tooth enamel. Although the sealant cannot be seen with the naked eye, the protective effect of these strands continues. As a result, it may be several years before another application of sealant is needed. Reapplication of the sealant will continue the protection against decay and may save the time and expense of having a tooth restored. Sealants will be checked during regular dental visits to determine if reapplication is necessary.

The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play an important role in the prevention of tooth decay. When properly applied and maintained, they can successfully protect the chewing surfaces of teeth front decay. A total prevention program includes twice daily brushing, cleaning between the teeth daily with floss, regular dental visits and limiting the number of between-meal snacks, Ask your dentist about how to obtain the right level of fluoride. If these measures are followed and sealants are used as well, the risk of decay can be reduced or may even be eliminated!

Fluoride

Facts About Fluoride
Fluoride is a natural mineral that hardens and protects teeth by neutralizing the acid that causes decay. Several decades ago, scientists found that adding fluoride to drinking water significantly decreased the number of cavities in children and adolescents. Most of us get fluoride from the tap water we drink. Almost all of us get fluoride from toothpaste and fluoride rinses. Children and some adults receive fluoride treatments from the dentist. Fluoride is inexpensive, safe and effective.

Benefits of Fluoride

Fluoridated water can reduce tooth decay by 50% to 60%
Fluoride gels given at your dentist’s office twice yearly can reduce decay by 40%
At least a 25% reduction in cavities can be expected from use of fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride Treatments
Dental treatments with fluoride can help prevent tooth decay and even help your teeth rebuild areas of decay in both children and adults. Fluoride also reduces the amount of plaque bacteria in your mouth, which also lessens the chance of tooth decay.

In children, fluoride works by hardening the enamel portion of teeth, reducing the risk of decay. For most children, fluoride can be applied beginning at age three as part of a regular dental checkup.
In adults, fluoride can dramatically reduce temperature sensitivity to hot substances along the root surfaces of teeth — a common problem in older adults. Fluoride treatments can also help adults by stopping the progress of newly formed cavities.

Some adult and adolescent patients with either very sensitive teeth or a large amount of decay can benefit from home fluoride gels and tablets prescribed by your dentist. These are more powerful than the fluoride products purchased over the counter. Studies have shown the growing incidence of adult tooth decay is reduced by systemic (tap Water) and topical fluoride treatments.

Fluoride Amounts
Parents should monitor the fluoride intake of children younger than six years. The first six years of life are an important period for tooth development. Overuse of fluoride during this period can result in a condition that may appear as white lines or spots on the teeth. Monitoring fluoride sources by parents can reduce the incidence of white spots while preventing early tooth decay.

Birth to one year — Brush or wipe teeth with tap water after feedings and before bed. Offer tap water for thirst. Water should be sterilized until the baby is four months old.
Young children one to 12 years — Offer four to six small glasses of tap water each day. Introduce fluoride toothpaste at age three. Brush teeth twice daily with a tiny amount of toothpaste (the size of a match head).Toothpaste should never be swallowed.
Older children 12 to 19 years — Drink four to six glasses of tap water daily. Brush teeth twice daily with a match-head-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Adults — Drink at least four to six glasses of tap water daily. Brush teeth with no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste each day.

Too Much Fluoride
Fluoride taken in large amounts, such as eating a tube of toothpaste or drinking a bottle of fluoride rinse is toxic and can make you very ill. If you think that your child has swallowed a lot of fluoride, get emergency medical assistance at once.

Never swallow toothpaste or rinse that contains fluoride.
Watch your children when they are using these products.
Keep fluoride products out of reach of children.

Bottled and Filtered Water
Most disposable water filters do not remove fluoride from drinking water. To be sure, contact the manufacturer. Most bottled water does not contain fluoride. It’s best to check the label.

Rely on Your Dentist
To find out if you and your family are getting enough fluoride, consult your hygienist or dentist. Your dental professional can best advise you whether you need fluoride treatments. The use of fluoride along with brushing, flossing, regular dental checkups and a diet low in sugars can result in strong oral health benefits.

Vanish®

Our office uses a white fluoride varnish from optimal protection. It offers the highest fluoride concentration possible, yet does not leave you with the yellow discoloration that many traditional fluoride varnishes leave behind. Vanish® fluoride treatment will last about 4 to 6 hours, and to maximize the benefits, there are a few simple rules to remember during that 4 to 6 hour period.

Do not brush your teeth for at least 4 to 6 hours.
Eat soft food.
Avoid hot drink and alcohol (including oral rinse products).