Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin layers of liquid plastic painted onto one or more of your child’s teeth, for the intended purpose of preventing cavities. Dr. Jeff, a dental hygienist or clinical assistant will first clean and dry the teeth to be treated and then paint the liquid plastic in the pits and fissures of your child’s teeth. After the application of the liquid plastic, a blue spectrum light is shone on the teeth for a few seconds to harden the plastic. Some sealants harden on their own, however, and don’t require the blue spectrum light. Despite the incredible pressures affected on teeth during chewing each day, dental sealants can remain effective for five years or longer, although sealants do wear naturally and may become damaged over time. Consequently, bacteria and food particles may eventually become trapped under the dental sealants and cause decay in the very teeth the sealants were intended to protect. Regular six-month visits to Dr. Jeff will help prevent this.

Fluoride

Every day, minerals are lost from and re-added to your child’s tooth enamel through two processes, demineralization and remineralization. Minerals are lost when acids formed by plaque bacteria and sugars attack your child’s enamel. Minerals such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate can be redeposited to the enamel layer from the foods and water your child consumes. Too much demineralization, however, without enough remineralization to repair the enamel layer leads to tooth decay. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay, making the tooth enamel more resistant to acid attacks, by speeding up the remineralization process and reversing early decay. As mentioned, fluoride is found in foods and in water. It can also be applied directly to your child’s enamel through fluoridated toothpastes and mouth rinses. Dr. Jeff can also apply fluoride to your child’s enamel as a gel, foam, or varnish. These treatments contain a much higher level of fluoride than the amount found in toothpastes and mouth rinses. Varnishes are painted on your child’s teeth; foams are put into a mouth guard, which is applied to your child’s teeth for 1 to 4 minutes; gels can be painted on your child’s teeth or applied via a mouth guard. Fluoride supplements are also available as liquids and tablets and can be prescribed by Dr. Jeff.

Proper Brushing and Six-Month Checkups

Careful and regular brushing of your child’s teeth helps to prevent build-up of plaque bacteria on his or her enamel. These bacteria metabolize carbohydrates from your child’s meals or snacks and excrete acid that demineralizes your child’s tooth enamel. Eventually your child may suffer from a toothache caused by a cavity, if acid episodes are frequent or are not prevented by regular brushing. Cavities can also be costly, not only in terms of the monetary cost to remove the cavities and insert dental fillings, but also in terms of your child’s tissue that is already damaged. A regular six-month cleaning by a dental hygienist is recommended to remove tartar (mineralized plaque) that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult for children to reach on their own at home. During these routine cleanings, Dr. Jeff will check your child’s oral hygiene and development, which is essential for preventing cavities, tartar build-up, and gum disease.

It is important to brush at least twice a day – once after breakfast, and once before bed.

Four steps to proper brushing

1. Use only a soft toothbrush
2. Use a pea size dollop of toothpaste with fluoride
3. Brush in a circular motion at a 45º angle to the gum line
4. Brush in a consistent pattern, so that no area goes unbrushed