Q: What is preventive dentistry? |
A: Preventive dentistry means a healthy smile for your child. Children with healthy mouths chew more easily and gain more nutrients from the foods they eat. They learn to speak more quickly and clearly. They have a better chance of general health, because disease in the mouth can endanger the rest of the body. A healthy mouth is more attractive, giving children confidence in their appearance. Finally, preventive dentistry means less extensive, and less expensive, treatment for your child.
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| Q: When should preventive dentistry start? |
A: Preventive dentistry begins with the first tooth. Visit your pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in. You will learn how to protect your infant's dental health. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental disease and helping your child belong to the cavity-free generation.
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Q: What role do parents play in prevention?
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A: After evaluating your child's dental health, your pediatric dentist will design a personalized program of home care for your child. This program will include brushing and flossing instructions, diet counseling, and if necessary, fluoride recommendations. By following these directions, you can help give your child a lifetime of healthy habits.
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| Q: How do pediatric dentists help prevent dental problems? |
A: Tooth cleaning and polishing and fluoride treatments are all part of your child's prevention program. But there's much more. For example, your pediatric dentist can apply sealants to protect your child from tooth decay, help you select a mouth guard to prevent sports injuries to the face and teeth, and provide early diagnosis and care of orthodontic problems. Your pediatric dentist is uniquely trained to develop a combination of office and home preventive care to insure your child a happy smile.
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| Fissure sealants prevent decay |
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Why seal?
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Fissure sealants can reduce tooth decay and the need for fillings.
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How does it work?
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Fissures are the narrow groves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Despite good tooth brushing these groves are so narrow that decay causing bacteria and food particles can still be left behind. A very successful way of preventing decay in these fissures is to place a hard, permanent, resin coating on the tooth. This fissure sealant will prevent the penetration of decay causing bacteria, and is a much cheaper option than possibly having to do a filling at a later stage. It will also help keep your tooth natural and un-damaged.
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| Without Sealant this. . . |
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Could becomethis! |
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| When is it best to seal teeth? |
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Fissure sealant can only be placed on healthy teeth. If decay is already present, a more invasive restoration is required. This is why dentists recommend sealant on perfectly good teeth, BEFORE they develop decay. It is best done shortly after the tooth has erupted. However, it can be applied to any back tooth, for young or old patients alike. Throughout life fissures have a high decay risk and even adults can benefit form fissure sealants.
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Does it hurt?
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| Fissure sealing is a totally painless procedure and does not require any local anaesthetic. |
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| Do I still need to clean as often? |
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| Fissure sealant only protects the chewing surface of the tooth. It is still essential that you floss and brush the sealed tooth regularly to keep the other surfaces from decaying and to keep your gums healthy. |
