"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Regular Dental Checkup

In order to avoid lengthy procedures and maintain a healthy and disease free mouth, we recommend professional cleanings and checkups every 6 months. This allows us to detect early signs of disease and provide treatment when necessary. The key to maintaining a healthy mouth is to be followed regularly and practice good homecare.

VIEW OUR VIDEO LIBRARY ON PREVENTIVE CARE

Dental Sealants

Sealants protect the chewing surfaces of teeth. This is done by painting dental resin in the teeth to make sure food and bacteria do not get stuck in the grooves of your back teeth. When the grooves ( called pits and fissures) are sealed, teeth are much less susceptible to cavities.

Indications for Use

Sealants are traditionally used as a preventive measure for children and teenagers when they are in their “cavity prone years”. Patients who suffer from xerostomia (decreased salivation), undergoing orthodontic treatment, show evidence of incipient caries, or who are prone to caries, should be evaluated as candidates for sealant placement.

VIEW OUR VIDEO LIBRARY ON PREVENTIVE CARE

Space Maintainers

Space maintainers are appliances made to custom fit your child's mouth to maintain the space intended for the permanent tooth. A space maintainer is necessary if a baby tooth is lost prematurely. They do this by "holding open" the empty space left by a lost tooth and preventing movement in the remaining teeth until the permanent tooth takes its natural position in the child's mouth. This treatment is much more affordable and much easier on your child than to move them back later with orthodontic procedures. Think of space maintainers as insurance against braces.

Why are space maintainers important to a child's dental care?

Baby teeth usually stay in place until "pushed out" by a permanent tooth that takes its place. Unfortunately, some children lose baby teeth too early. A tooth may be knocked out accidentally or be removed due to severe disease. When this occurs, a space maintainer may be required to prevent future dental problems. Space maintainers encourage normal development of the jaw bones and muscles, and save space for the permanent teeth and help guide them into position.

How can losing a baby tooth too early cause problems for permanent teeth?

Well, teeth are strange in that regard. Teeth attempt to "fill" any space available to them. If your child loses a baby tooth to early, the remaining baby teeth may tilt, drift, or move up or down to fill the gap. When this happens, they fill the space intended for the permanent tooth, and the permanent tooth can come in crowded or crooked. And this condition, if left untreated, may require extensive (and expensive) orthodontic treatment (braces or even surgery).

VIEW OUR VIDEO LIBRARY ON PREVENTIVE CARE

Fluoride Treatment

What is fluoride?

The fluoride ion comes from the element fluorine. Fluoride, either applied topically to erupted teeth, or ingested orally (called systemic fluoride) during tooth development, helps to prevent tooth decay, strengthen tooth enamel, and reduce the harmful effects of plaque. Fluoride also makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage is even visible.

Where is fluoride found?

Topical fluoride is found in products containing strong concentrations of fluoride (i.e., toothpastes, mouth rinses), fluoridated varnishes and/or gels either topically applied by a dentist or other oral health professional, or prescribed as an at-home regimen (particularly for persons with a high risk of dental caries).

Systemic fluoride can be ingested through public and private water supplies, soft drinks, teas, as dietary supplements and some bottled water supplies. Once ingested, systemic fluoride is absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract and distributed and deposited throughout the body via the blood supply.

What health risks are associated with fluoride uses?

In general, fluoride consumption is safe. Health risks associated with fluoridation usually are limited to misuse and over concentration. Fluorosis (over consumption of fluoride) appears as staining, spotting or pitting of the teeth. To prevent this, avoid swallowing toothpaste and other dental hygiene products. Call the local water department and/or the health department to evaluate the fluoride level in your local drinking reservoir. Children are especially vulnerable to dental fluorosis as their developing teeth are more sensitive to higher fluoride levels. Consult a pediatric dentist or other oral health care professional if you notice changes in the condition of your child's teeth.

VIEW OUR VIDEO LIBRARY ON PREVENTIVE CARE