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Dental
Sealants
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What are dental sealants?
A
dental sealant is a plastic
material used to protect the
chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Dental sealants are applied to
deep grooves that are the decay
prone surfaces. |
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Why get sealants?
Sealants keep out the germs and
food that cause tooth decay. The
chewing surfaces of the back
teeth are rough and uneven and
generally have pits and grooves.
Food and germs can get stuck in
these uneven areas and remain
because toothbrush bristles are
ineffective in deep grooves.
Germs in the mouth change the
sugar in food to acid, which can
start a cavity in the tooth.
Sealants prevent decay from ever
starting. |
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Who should get sealants?
Children should get sealants on
their permanent molars as soon
as they are above the gum line,
before decay has a chance to
attack the teeth. Sealants also
help in adult care since adults
can still get decay. Patients
afflicted with a dry mouth,
which affects about one third of
the adult population, can
benefit greatly. |
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How are sealants put on?
First, the tooth is cleaned and
dried thoroughly and
conditioned. The tooth is rinsed
and dried once more and the
sealant material is then applied
in liquid form and hardens in
just a few seconds, after
exposure to a special light. |
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Besides sealants, are there
other ways to prevent tooth
decay?
Yes!
The best way you can help
prevent tooth decay is to expose
the teeth to fluoride and brush,
and floss regularly. Sealants
and fluoride used together
provide the best defense against
tooth decay. |
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Not Worth
The Gamble
The majority of our patients
are diligent about their
dental care but there are
still some who stay clear of
our office until they have
an emergency. They skip
cleaning appointments and
checkups thinking, somehow,
they are immune to dental
diseases - until they have
one! The fact is without
regular professional
preventive care, dental
disease is practically
unavoidable! Treating these
diseases is always more
complex and costly than
preventing them. They may
think they're saving money
by missing a few dental
appointments, but it is
likely to cost much more
later.
Research has shown that
despite years of dental
health education, many
people simply don't show up
for needed cleaning or
treatment. This translates
into millions of lost work
days as these people take
off for more involved dental
treatments later on.
Teenagers are well known for
neglecting their teeth, and
more then 80% of
sixteen-year-olds have
active tooth decay. Here's
another alarming statistic -
this year thousands of
people will develop oral
cancer, a disease for which
we routinely screen during
each checkup.
It's just common sense! When
it comes to dental, as with
other areas of your health
care, a little prevention
goes along way in keeping
you and your smile healthy
and happy. Gambling on your
dental health doesn't pay!
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Your Magic
Teeth
Many cultures had unusual
beliefs about teeth. The
earliest toothpicks, called
siwaks, had a religious
ritual significance in
Arabia and India. Prayers
were made while brushing. In
India the eye tooth of
Buddha was enshrined in a
famous temple and prayed to
during fertility rites.
Westerners offered prayers
to saints for the relief of
oral discomfort. It was
Persian physician Rhazes who
recommened regular dental
visits in 900 AD!
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0
to 2 - Baby teeth appear at
around six to eight months of
age on average. It is important
to get baby accustomed to the
toothbrush. Do not permit your
child to fall asleep with
his/her bottle in their mouth.
2
to 5 - Full set of baby
teeth arrives, and the first
dental visit should be no later
than the third birthday. Try to
gently correct thumb sucking and
blanket habits.
5
to 9 - The first permanent
teeth arrive. First-stage
orthodontics may be necessary.
Regular visits to our office
should continue.
9
to19 - The muscles in your
teen's mouth and jaw grow
quickly to manage the work of 32
adult teeth throughout a
lifetime. Orthodontic work may
need to be completed. Cavity
prevention and dental hygiene
habits are also very important,
partly because this is likely to
be the first time your child is
away from home for more than a
few days. The adolescent years
are often the most cavity prone
years.
20
to 30 - Wisdom teeth,
potential dental troublemakers
may appear. Many end up being
removed. Gingivitis (gum
disease) may begin although you
may not even feel it. We can
diagnose and treat it easily in
the early stages.
30
to 40 - Gingivitis can
progress to its advanced form,
periodontitis or gum disease,
which affects the underlying
bone and eventually leads to
tooth loss. Early diagnosis and
treatment at our office is
essential. Often only the end
stages of this condition can be
felt.
40
to 50 - Fillings and other
restorations should be regularly
checked and replaced if
necessary. If your dental care
and home care has not been ideal
throughout your life, you may
loose a tooth to periodontal
disease. Root canal therapy may
be needed in some teeth.
Continuing attention to gum
disease and increased dental
hygiene is very important.
50
to 60 - Crowns and bridges
may be necessary to preserve
your remaining teeth (and your
smile) for the future. 
60+
- Most people over the age
of sixty end up with some form
of tooth root decay. Gum disease
remains the primary cause of
tooth loss. Researchers have
discovered links between
periodontal disease and heart
disease and strokes. Good home
care and regular professional
checkups are just as important
if you have dentures. Working
together we can help you and
your family to maintain your
teeth for a lifetime!