Seal the Deal: Information about dental sealants

In addition to good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, there are other ways to protect teeth from decay. Dental sealants can protect teeth and seal them off from decay-causing bacteria.

What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are made of plastic and are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay. The plastic fits into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of teeth. The sealants protect tooth enamel from the bacteria and acids that cause decay.

Why can’t I just brush and floss?
While brushing and flossing help to remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, toothbrush bristles often can’t reach into the teeth’s depressions and grooves. Sealants protect those areas and prevent food and bacteria from getting in.

How does the dentist apply a sealant?
Your dentist can apply sealants easily, and it takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth. The dentist first cleans the teeth that will be sealed, which may require the use of a dental drill to open the grooves of the teeth and determine if decay is present. Then he or she will roughen the chewing surfaces with an acid solution, which will help the sealant stick to the teeth. The dentist then “paints” the sealant on the tooth. It bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes your dentist will use a special curing light to help the sealant harden.

Aren’t sealants just for kids?
Decay can begin early in life, so dentists usually apply sealants to children’s and teenagers’ premolars and molars to protect them. But sealants can protect adults’ teeth, too. Ask your dentist about sealants for your children or for yourself to see if they would be beneficial.

How long do they last?
As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. The risk of decay decreases significantly after sealant application. During your regular dental visits, your dentist will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them when necessary.

Are sealants safe?
Sealants are extremely safe, though some people may have an allergic reaction to the plastic. Talk to your dentist if you or your children have allergies so that he or she can provide the best treatment options.

Will my insurance pay for sealants?
Health insurance usually will pay for sealants for children’s and teenagers’ permanent molars. If the dentist suggests sealants for other teeth, he or she will tell you whether or not the costs will be covered. Be sure to check with your dental insurance company about your insurance plan as coverage may vary.

Seal the Deal
Your dentist can apply sealants easily, and it takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth.

Provided by the Academy of General Dentistry
For more patient information, check out our education video library:  Vail Valley Dental Care Patient Education

ESPN Magazine: Six Things You Should Know About Treating NHL Teeth

1. We're Part Of A Team Too. "The NHL prefers clubs to have an orthopedist, optometrist and dentist at games. I rotate with another dentist, because we both have our own practices. If a player leaves the game holding his mouth, he goes through a set of triages: The trainer looks at him, then the orthopedist, the physician, then us."

2. Guys Play Through Pain ... "Players endure things average patients wouldn't. They'll shrug off chipped teeth or abscesses, because they don't want to lose playing time. 'Whatever it takes' is their motto. Last year, Cam Ward's wisdom tooth bothered him during the playoffs. He wasn't about to miss those games, so we postponed surgery and calmed it with antibiotics."

3. ... To A Point. "This is hockey, so it gets ugly. Once, a player took a stick to the mouth and it pushed in his lower teeth. But they were still attached to his gums, so we were able to reimplant them into the sockets. Another time, a Rangers star had his front tooth knocked out-but just one tooth. How he got hit with so much force in such a small area still boggles me."

4. Sometimes We Need Reinforcements. "There's a division between older and younger guys. Some vets skate with four front teeth missing, but young guys are concerned about cosmetics. Even so, lots of guys won't fix anything until they retire. I try to encourage them not to wait that long. Wives can act as influences. If I can't get through to a guy, I'll appeal to his wife. She'll make sure it happens."

5. Emergencies Happen. We're on call for practices-with all those pucks flying around, there's a high chance of injury. Players get priority access. If the trainer calls, we have them bring the injured guy to our office and we reschedule patients. Some patients are more understanding than others."

6. We Do It for The Love Mostly. "We don't get a direct stipend. We do this for perks: tickets, travel with the team and gifts. But players are covered through a league dental plan and workers' comp. So if we treat an injury, we do get paid."

By Gabriel J. Rich, Hurricanes Team Dentist
(As Told To Anna Katherine Clemmons)
Photograph By Tony Pearce
Article Is Property Of ESPN © 2010

We're rooting for our friends Olivia Swift and Caroline Byrne in the Junior Olympics this weekend

Ski and Snowboard Club Vail's Caroline Byrne stays in a tight tuck through the flats of the downhill course Thursday during training for the Junior Olympics race at Golden Peak in Vail. Byrne tied for first with Aspen's Danielle Brownell-Patty in Thursday's training.

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20100304/SPORTS/100309750&parentprofile=search

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20100304/SPORTS/100309739&parentprofile=search

10 Bad Dental Habits to Break

1. Brushing too hard

Using a firm-bristled toothbrush and too much pressure can permanently wear away protective enamel (triggering tooth sensitivity and cavities) and cause receding gums. Instead, use a soft brush and gentle, circular scrubbing motions for two minutes at least twice a day. When buying a toothbrush, consider that compact heads move most easily around small mouths and long, flexible handles are better than short, stiff ones for reaching back molars.

Also to consider: Going electric. Because they do the hard part for you (and do it correctly), electric toothbrushes may help you remove more plaque than manual brushes. A 1997 study published in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry showed that electric toothbrushes improved periodontal health in adults with gum problems.

2. The wrong toothpaste

Some toothpastes, especially those designated "tartar control," are too abrasive. Anything that feels gritty can erode enamel and cause receding gums. Fluoride is the only ingredient you need. Dentist-recommended toothpastes include: Mentadent ($3.29), Tom's of Maine Natural Toothpaste ($4) and Sensodyne Fresh Mint ($4.39) for sensitive teeth.

3. Forgoing floss

Bacteria on your teeth can develop into plaque, the leading cause of cavities and gum disease, in 24 hours. Flossing once a day is essential for removing plaque.

4. Drinking lots of soda

Carbonated sodas—both diet and regular—contain phosphoric acid, which can erode teeth over a period of time. If you drink soda, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth—and brush afterward.

5. Foods that stain

Tooth enamel is like a sponge. Anything that leaves a stain in a cup or on a plate (for example, coffee, tea, colas, marinara sauce, soy sauce, red wine) will give teeth a dull, yellowish color over time. Ask your dentist about laser whitening, bleaching or Prophy Power, a new in-office procedure in which sodium bicarbonate (a gentle whitening agent) mixes with a powerful jet of water to lift stains without removing enamel.

If you want to use a whitening toothpaste, consider that they can brighten teeth a few shades, but they tend to be harsh on the enamel.

6. Frequent snacking

Every time you eat something, especially if it's a sugary or starchy food, the bacteria that normally live in your mouth create acids to break down the food. But these acids can also attack teeth, leading to decay. Eating raw, firm fruits and vegetables (like apples and carrots) with and after meals can help. (Many dental experts consider such foods to be nature's toothbrushes because of their detergent-like effect on plaque.)

Chewing sugarless gum after eating can also help prevent cavities by increasing saliva flow, which helps wash away cavity-causing bacteria. Look for gum sweetened with Xylitol. Researchers at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis found gum containing the natural sweetener temporarily inhibited bacterial growth which leads to decay.

7. Using teeth as tools

Ripping open potato-chip bags and loosening knots with your teeth can lead to cracks and breaks and damage fillings and existing dental work. Also risky: Chewing ice cubes, frozen candy bars or hard candies.

8. Neglecting problems

Bleeding gums and chronic bad breath are hallmarks of gum disease. To fight bad breath, drink enough water to keep your mouth moist (water and saliva help control bacteria) and remove excess bacteria with a tongue scraper. To prevent bleeding gums, brush and floss daily. If your symptoms persistent longer than a few days, consult your dentist.

9. Avoiding the dentist

You're probably familiar with the advice that you should schedule twice-yearly cleanings—but that's actually an arbitrary recommendation. We now know that some people may actually need to see a dentist every three months to keep gum disease at bay.

10. Ignoring your lips

No matter how great your dental health, your smile still won't shine if it's framed by dry, cracked lips. Lip skin, which is thinner than other skin on the body, is prone to moisture loss, environmental damage and changes due to aging. Using a moisturizing balm daily will help keep lips soft and smooth.

View the original article at: http://www.origin.shape.com/health/family_health/dental_health/10_bad_dental_habits_to_break