Defeating Decay with Sealants

Defeating Decay with Sealants

Dental sealants are commonly used in children to reduce cavities in permanent teeth. Bonded to tooth surfaces, these clear or white plastic coatings safely and effectively prevent tooth decay.

Most decay starts in narrow pits and grooves on the biting surfaces of teeth toward the back of the mouth, spaces that are hard to clean with a toothbrush. Within those pits and grooves, bacteria from plaque produce acid, leading to tooth decay.

Sealants work very simply and effectively to fill the grooves. Applying the sealant is a painless, comfortable process that doesn’t require injections or drilling, and takes just a few minutes.

Our clinical team at KiDDS Dental will clean and dry your child’s teeth; then a thin layer of a plastic liquid is applied into the groove or pit of the tooth. The liquid hardens into a strong layer that protects the tooth and prevents decay. Permanent teeth in the back of the mouth tend to be at a higher risk of tooth decay, making them a priority for sealant application. Some children benefit from sealants on their baby teeth, too.

Sealants are only one part of a healthy program of dental hygiene. We can show you and your child the right way to clean his or her teeth. In addition, use the following tips to help your family:

• Avoid giving your child sugary foods and drinks.
• Provide your child with a balanced, nutritious diet.
• Offer water after meals.
• Make sure your child has regular dental checkups.
• Brush your child’s teeth twice daily.
• Use fluoride toothpaste for children ages 2 and older.

At your child’s next appointment at KiDDS Dental, Dr. Jared can discuss how sealants can help prevent cavities in his or her teeth. With sealants and good preventive care at home, your child can enjoy a healthy, cavity-free mouth for years to come.

If you have questions about sealants, click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070.

Decay-causing Foods That Will Surprise You

Decay-causing Foods That Will Surprise You

Most of us know that, in the battle against childhood tooth decay, sweetened soft drinks are the mustache-twirling villains. There are sneakier suspects, though, that actually can do just as much damage to your child’s dental health. Pickles? Positively. Lemons? Likely. In fact, this group of edibles includes sodas, fruit juices and acidic foods that many children heartily enjoy.

How do these foods damage teeth? Decay occurs when mouth-residing bacteria produce acids that wear away the hard enamel present on healthy teeth. Bacteria thrive on sugars, the compounds left behind after we consume any one of hundreds of foods and beverages.

When your teeth are not immediately cleaned, sugar from, say, soft drinks lingers on them, providing a hearty meal for bacteria. Equally bacteria friendly, though, are the sugars—added or naturally occurring—in many fruit juices. To minimize residue, have your child sip such beverages through a straw.

But here’s the kicker: Fruit juices can have a second detriment—they are acidic, as well. And acids in foods and drinks affect teeth physically just as bacteria do—they erode enamel.

So, consider acidity when you serve your child otherwise nutritionally beneficial foods, including citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, etc.), tomatoes (including pizza, soup and pasta sauce), and other fruits and vegetables, such as pickles, with high acid content. Sweet honey, too, is surprisingly acidic.

Even without sugar, zero-calorie sodas are potentially harmful. Many contain phosphoric acid, citric acid or both that wear away enamel like any other acids. And while carbonation by itself isn’t corrosive, the artificial sweeteners or flavorings in sparkling waters or seltzers boost the drinks’ acidity. Energy drinks, bottled iced teas and lemonades may contain acids that wear away tooth enamel, as well.

After your child consumes these types of foods or drinks, have him or her rinse immediately with water to dilute and wash away the acids. Because the teeth may be softer after consuming acidic foods, have your child wait 20 minutes before brushing with American Dental Association-approved toothpaste.

The less sugar and acid that remain in your child’s mouth, the fewer dining opportunities those oral-dwelling bacteria will have, and the possibility of erosion of the enamel is diminished. Ask Dr. Jared at KiDDS Dental about other ways your child can enjoy his or her favorite foods—acidic or not—and still maintain terrific oral health.

We'd love to meet you and your family. Call us to schedule an appointment today! (509)-891-7070.