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According to a report from the U.S. department of Health and Human Services, students miss more than 51 million school hours per year because of dental problems or related conditions. Dental pain can cause distractions in the classroom and schoolwork may be less than satisfactory as a result. Toothaches even lead to school absences. Children and teens with a healthy mouth have better attendance record, are more attentive in class and are more likely to participate at most favorable levels in school-related activities.
Preventive dentistry for children includes:
- BRUSHING twice a day with a rice-size amount of fluoride toothpaste
- FLOSSING twice a day
- PROPER DIET including limiting between meal snacks, foods with high sugar contents and sweetened beverages such as soft drinks, juices & sport drinks
- CHEESE - Yes! Recent studies show that cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child’s teeth. In addition to providing calcium, cheese also helps fight cavities.
- SEALANTS applied as appropriate
- DENTAL VISITS - Dental check-up twice a year watch your child’s dental development and provide a means for early detections of dental diseas
- FLOURIDE - drink water with fluoride and check with our dentists for fluoride needs
- PROTECTION - Use a mouth guard during participation in recreational & sport activities
- PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT reinforces good oral habits
- WATER provides a natural mouth rinse and is a great source of fluid without sugar
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Dental sealants are considered one of the greatest advances in modern dentistry. The widespread use of fluoride beginning in childhood has greatly reduced the incidence of cavities, but fluoride does little to protect the groves of the teeth. Sealants in conjunction with topical and systemic fluoride provide the maximum protection against tooth decay. Sealants prevent tooth decay because the plastic coating keeps bacteria and food debris from entering the pit and fissures (grooves) of the teeth.
A dental sealant is a clear plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants are applied after the tooth is fully erupted. Sealants can be applied to both permanent and primary teeth.  The natural flow of saliva usually keeps the smooth surfaces of teeth clean, but does not wash out the grooves in the teeth. Because these teeth have depressions and grooves on their chewing surfaces, they are difficult to clean. By protecting the depressions and grooves with a sealant, we can dramatically reduce the risk of decay for children and teens.
Teeth mostly at risk are the permanent 6 and 12-year-old molars. Other teeth that may be at risk are the permanent premolars (bicuspids) as well as the primary molars. Any tooth with grooves may benefit from the protection of sealants. Each child is unique. Dr Duga and Dr Feeney can talk with you more about sealants at your visit.
The application of a dental sealant is quick and pain free. First the tooth is cleaned and then dried. The sealant material is painted onto the grooves of the tooth and hardened with a special light. The sealant is a thin material that doesn’t interfere with eating, chewing, talking, singing, playing a musical instrument, kissing or smiling. In fact, no one, not even your child will know or feel that there is a sealant on a tooth. Sealants last for years and can be reapplied if found to be rough or cracked. Your child will brush and floss as usual.
Since preventive dentistry is our primary focus, as long as your child is current with their routine every 6-month dental visits, any sealant that was placed at our office and subsequently found to be cracked or ineffective will be touched up at no additional charge to you. Dental Sealant evaluations are part of your child’s routine dental health visit assessment.
In the unlikely event the sealant fails and a filling becomes necessary, a full credit for the cost of the sealant will be made toward the cost of the filling, as long as your child has been current with their 6-month checkups.
Following Dental Sealant Placement
These are practices that your child should do and things to be aware of:
- Eating and drinking are allowed as usual
- Please brush twice a day and floss once a day
- Your child’s bite may feel a little uneven for a short time after the sealant is placed, but this feeling will go away within a few days
- Small white pieces of sealant material may come loose the day of the placement; these pieces are just the flash or excess from the sides of the tooth. We try to rinse this away but sometimes a little remains. This is natural, so do not worry!!
- When your child has dental sealants they should avoid foods that are hard, sticky or chewy such as:
- Chewing Ice Cubes
- Jolly Ranchers
- Now n’ Laters
- Caramels
- Fruit Snacks
- Fruit Roll-Ups
- Gummi Bears
- Chewing Gum
PLEASE follow this list to insure the longevity of the sealants. |
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Since children are unique, the need for dental X-rays may vary. Children generally require dental X-rays more often than adults since their mouths are growing and changing rapidly. The amount of radiation received from a dental X-ray at our office is extremely small, practically an  insignificant risk. In fact, the risk of taking a dental radiograph is far smaller than the risk of an undetected and untreated dental problem.
Our office has a fairly new type of X-ray imaging process called Digital Radiography. Digital radiography’s technology improves the image, creating clear accurate pictures of your teeth and bone structure in seconds.
The process of taking a bitewing X-ray is quick and easy. A small sensor is placed inside your child’s mouth then the camera piece is place next to their cheek and presto an immediate digital picture on the computer monitor. These highly detailed images can be rotated, magnified, and adjusted to view details in the best manner. You and your child can view the images with our doctors on the computer monitor right at your dental chair.
Our doctors can discuss findings, give evaluations and provide immediate treatment options. We believe our patients have a better understanding of what is being discussed since they can now view their images right in front of them on a clear, easy to see monitor screen. These images can then be stored as part of your child’s records right on their computer chart file for quick and easy retrieval.
- The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bitewing x-rays be taken at six month intervals until two sets of bitewing x-rays are viewed free of decay then they recommend them once per year
- X-rays are used to diagnose decay, view erupting teeth, diagnose gum disease, evaluate the results of an injury, and plan orthodontic treatment.
- Our office uses DIGITAL equipment that reduces the amount of radiation (as compared to standard dental radiographs) by approximately 70%.
- Your child will be shielded using lead aprons for all radiographs.
- Our doctors may recommend additional radiographs for specific purposes. Your consent will be asked prior to taking any radiographs.
- Panoramic Radiographs - This type of x-ray in our office is also DIGITAL. Typically, an initial panoramic x-ray is taken at age 5-7. The panoramic x-ray is repeated every 3-5 years in a healthy child with no underlining dental health issues. Your child may need a reevaluation more often for specific reasons. The panoramic x-ray allows the doctors to assess growth and development in children and adolescents, to view mixed dentition, and to evaluate their third molars (wisdom teeth). It may also be used for assessment after facial trauma or evaluation of a large bony lesion.
- Cephlometric Radiographs - This type of x-ray in our office is also DIGITAL. This type of x-ray is used when planning orthodontic treatment. It is a radiographic view of the growth of the bones of the face and jaws.
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We strive to teach your child dental health concepts and cleaning techniques that will assure a lifetime of good oral health. Through education, it is our intent to prevent dental disease. Our Dental Health Educator is available for presentations to schools, mom’s clubs, community groups, etc., by calling our office to schedule a convenient time.
Dr. Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic emphasized the connection between bodily health and oral health when he said,
“Preventive dentistry can extend human life ten years”. |
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What are teeth made of?
A tooth is made up of four layers. These layers are the enamel, dentin, cementum, and pulp. Usually, the only visible part of the tooth is the crown and the outside is made up of enamel. Enamel is the hard-calcified tissue that contains no living cells.
When do I have all my teeth?
Actually, by around age 1 year old, a person has all of their teeth forming in their jaw preparing to erupt. That’s why early dental care is so important!!
Who was that famous dentist?
Paul Revere did more than make his famous midnight ride. He was skilled in the art of dentistry. From 1760-1770, he placed advertisements in a Boston newspaper offering his services as a dentist. He cleaned teeth, made dentures and was probably the first person to use post-mortem dental forensics. He was trained by the same dentist who made George Washington’s dentures and is one of dentistry’s forefathers.
How long have people been brushing their teeth?
Around the middle ages, wealthy Europeans used twigs from sweet smelling wood to clean their teeth and used toothpicks make of gold and silver. Around 1498, the Emperor of China used hog bristles on a bone handle as a toothbrush. This was very expensive and families often shared toothbrushes. In 1920’s dentists recommended that each child and adult use their own toothbrush. In 1938 Dupont make a brush with nylon bristles and people could afford to use their own.
Who as the first woman dentist?
When she was 16 years old, this woman began her journey into dentistry. In the 1800’s there were many women practicing dentistry, but none were admitted to dental school. In 1866, at age 33, Lucy Beaman Hobbs graduated from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, becoming the first woman to earn a dental degree. She paved the way for women to enter a once off-limit arena.
Is there a patron saint of dentistry?
Saint Appolonia is the patron saint of dentistry. Over 1700 years ago, in Alexandria Egypt, she was persecuted and tortured by soldiers for her religious beliefs. The soldiers pulled out all of her teeth and then killed her. Later, the Vatican canonized her as a saint. Legend has it that you can ask her to relieve your toothache pain. Images of Saint Appolonia can be seen in dental college and European churches. She is portrayed holding forceps and extracted teeth.
Where is the coolest place to see dental stuff?
The Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry opened in 1996 in Baltimore, MD. There you will find a modern dental office, learn about dental history and discover advances in dental health.
Does dentistry have origins in ancient times?
Hippocrates and Aristotle both wrote about out dentistry. This was from 500-300 BC. They described the pattern of tooth eruption, treatments for decayed teeth and gum disease, tooth extraction with forceps and the use of wires to hold together loose teeth and fractured jaws. But wait, in 5000 BC, a Sumerian text describes dental decay as “tooth worms” and about 260BC, an inscription on the tomb of Hesy-Rey an Egyptian scribe, includes the title “the greatest of those who deal with teeth, and of physicians.” This inscription reference identifies the earliest dental practitioner.
(Information on the subject of interesting information gathered from the American Dental Association website at ada.org)
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