Sealing Out Tooth Decay

Sealing Out Tooth Decay

The chewing surfaces on the back teeth—the premolars and molars—include numerous depressions and grooves. These indentations, called fissures and pits, help us grind our food into particles small enough to swallow.

Unfortunately, toothbrush bristles cannot get into the smaller fissures and pits to remove tiny bits of food and plaque bacteria that accumulate on the back teeth. This means that even regular brushing and flossing may not be enough to keep those fissures and pits clean.

The result? These bacteria turn the sugars and starches we eat and drink into acids that attack tooth enamel. And that attack can result in tooth decay.

One solution to the problem of cleaning the fissures and pits is the use of dental sealants. Made from a plastic material, sealants are placed over the chewing surfaces of premolars and molars. They protect the tooth surfaces that are the hardest to keep clean and thus are the most susceptible to decay from food and bacteria.

Applying dental sealants is quick and easy. After we perform a thorough cleaning of the tooth, the sealant is placed over the chewing surface of the tooth, where it bonds to the enamel. The sealant typically lasts for several years, protecting the tooth surface from decay. If the sealant shows any signs of deterioration, we simply reapply it.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported overwhelming evidence that dental sealants reduce tooth decay in children and adolescents. Ronald L. Tankersley, former president of the American Dental Association, noted, “The two most prevalent dental diseases, dental caries and periodontal disease, are both preventable. The proper use of dental sealants at an early age is an effective tool for preventing dental caries in the most susceptible patients.”

Sealants alone, though, can’t replace good dental care. Twice-daily brushing and flossing, along with regular visits to the dentist, are still the mainstays of everyone’s effort to keep teeth healthy. But sealants add another weapon in the fight against tooth decay.

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

Should You Keep Your Sniffling Child Away from Our Office?

Should You Keep Your Sniffling Child Away from Our Office?

Six months ago, when you scheduled your child’s twice-yearly dental checkup at KiDDS Dental, you had no idea he or she was going to wake up on the designated day with a runny nose and sore throat. You have already rearranged your work schedule to take your child to the appointment and don’t want to put it off, especially because your child has been complaining about some mouth pain. But should you still go if he or she is sick?

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends keeping the appointment even if your child has a cold. We always take precautions to avoid spreading (and catching) common viruses: We wear a mask, gloves and protective eyewear, and we thoroughly disinfect tools and equipment. A simple cold is usually not a problem, unless your child’s nose is so stuffed up that it’s impossible for him or her to breathe easily during dental work or if sedation is scheduled.

Because the flu can cause severe complications in some people (especially the very young), our illness policies may become more stringent during a particularly bad flu season. After all, your child doesn’t just sit in the dentist’s chair at an appointment. He or she also checks in at the reception desk and hangs out in the waiting room. Many people in our office, including other patients, don’t wear protective goggles and surgical masks, and we have a responsibility to protect them, too. Since it can be unclear whether your child has just a cold or something more serious (like strep throat or the flu), we may decide it’s better to be safe than sorry.

So, if your child wakes up with the sniffles on the day of a dental appointment, give us a call and ask if it would be better to reschedule. We know rescheduling may cause you some inconvenience. But remember that young children—just like all of us—can feel cranky when they are sick. Rescheduling may be in everyone’s best interest―including yours.

Give us a call at 509-891-7070 to schedule today!