Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Why do my kids need sealants?

            When your kid’s permanent molars begin to erupt, we typically discuss the importance of sealants. Dental sealants are placed over the deep pits and fissures of teeth to help prevent the start of cavities. These deep grooves are common areas for cavities to begin in children, and sealants have been proven to help reduce the incidence in tooth decay.

Which teeth typically need sealants?
            Usually it is only the permanent molars that need sealants, but if there is a higher risk of tooth decay we may recommend sealants on other permanent teeth. This could include incisors or premolars.

How old will they be when sealants are recommended?
            The permanent first molars typically erupt around 6 years old. Every child can vary on timing, so it may not be until they are 8 or even 9. Recommendations may also be made based on each child’s ability to tolerate the procedure.

What should they expect during a sealant?
            It is essential to keep the tooth completely dry during the procedure. Any saliva on the tooth will cause the sealant to fall off. So we protect the area with cotton and use suction to remove any moisture. The tooth is brushed clean, cleaned microscopically with a liquid, then rinsed and dried. The sealant material is then painted on as a liquid and is hardened by a strong light for about 20 seconds. If everything goes well, each individual sealant should only take a few minutes.

Do they need to wait to eat after the sealant is placed?
            After the procedure, they are free to eat, drink, brush and floss. However, we recommend avoiding sticky and hard foods for a few days. The sealant needs to ‘wear down’ into the correct spot, and this can take a few days. If they chew food that is too stick or hard, it could increase the risk of losing the sealant before it settles into their bite.

How much does it reduce their risk of cavities?
            For children who have had sealants placed, studies have shown a 70-80% reduction in the incidence of cavities in the grooves of the teeth. It is a very effective preventative measure that can be taken to help protect their teeth.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Why is an electric toothbrush better than a regular toothbrush?

It has a two-minute timer:
The proper amount of time to brush your teeth is two minutes. Typically, the average person will brush their teeth for only 30 to 45 seconds before finishing. They stop because it feels like it has been a long time and the teeth feel cleaner than before brushing. By brushing for 30 seconds, you have only removed the macroscopic particles on your teeth. To truly clean on a microscopic level you need 30 seconds on each quadrant of the mouth. We have found that brushing for the full two minutes to be one of the biggest difference makers to improving your oral health and reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

It doesn’t wear down the gum tissue:
            When using a regular toothbrush, many people tend to brush in a ‘sawing’ motion. The toothbrush and the toothpaste have abrasives that can wear down the gums and cause recession. If the gums recede too far, then a surgical procedure is needed to restore the tissue. An electric toothbrush doesn’t require you to use a brushing motion. You can simply move it from tooth to tooth and the motion of the brush head will properly clean the teeth.

The toothbrush doesn’t get distracted (like we all do):
            When we brush our teeth in the morning and before bed, our mind tends to wander. Even if we are a little distracted, the electric toothbrush will continue to do its job. We don’t have to worry that it will scrub too hard in one area and cause recession. It should also beep or vibrate every 30 seconds as a reminder to move on to the next quadrant.

Which one is right for me?
            Talk your dentist or hygienist about all of your options. You don’t have to break the bank to get a great toothbrush. And if you aren’t sure, just ask!

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS

Monday, July 11, 2016

Chewing sugar free gum can improve your dental health

            Men’s Health magazine recently had an article titled, “This $1 Habit Could Save You Hundreds In Dental Bills.” The article discussed how chewing sugar free gum is a simple and inexpensive trick to help keep your mouth healthy and reduce your dental expenditures. So how does chewing sugar free gum promote dental health?
Chewing sugar free gum reduces the acidity in our mouth and reduces the bad bacteria present. It does so by increasing saliva production, which in turn helps to remove food from the teeth and neutralize the acid that wears away at enamel. This obviously should mean less dental work needed over time.
How long do you need to chew the gum for it to be effective? It should be at least for 20 minutes to get the maximum benefit that sugar free gum can give you. If you only chew gum for enough time to freshen your breath and quickly dispose of it, it doesn’t provide adequate time to cleanse some of the surface areas and change the acidity in the mouth.
            Does chewing sugar free gum replace brushing, flossing, or using mouth rinse? It should only be used as a supplement to the usual home care techniques. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are the only ways to adequately clean the teeth. If you try to replace these with chewing sugar free gum, I think you could run into some serious dental issues. But chewing gum could be a great way to supplement your home care routines if you are snacking throughout the day and you do not have a toothbrush and toothpaste with you.
            Be sure you check the ingredients and labels on gum before you buy with the purpose of improving your oral health. If you are consistently chewing gum loaded with sugar, it could have the opposite effect. And definitely talk with your dentist for any other recommendations regarding your individual situation.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS 

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Researchers working on fillings that regenerate tooth structure


            In both medicine and dentistry there is a focus on being preventative and less invasive with treatments. Sealants, fluoride treatments, and regular cleanings are a great way to focus on preventative dental treatment. But once a cavity has formed, our only course of treatment involves drilling away tooth structure to remove the tooth decay. Currently, researchers are working on developing fillings that “allow teeth to heal themselves.” This is a very exciting development because it could limit the number of invasive procedures a dentist may need to perform.
            The treatment that researchers have been working on would stimulate stem cells to encourage the growth of dentin. Dentin is the bony material that makes up the majority of the tooth and lies just under the hard, outer shell of enamel. These fillings would allow you to effectively re-grow tooth structure that was damaged by decay. Hopefully this could become an alternative to traditional dental fillings.
            So why would it be important to reduce the number of fillings needed or the size of the fillings performed? Typically, a smaller filling leads to a better prognosis. A smaller filling stays further from the pulp (where the nerve is found) and decreases the potential for sensitivity. And every time you work on a tooth, you risk possible sensitivity and the need for a root canal in the future. Each root canal contains another set of risks that include root fracture and tooth loss. Bottom line: if you can avoid invasive procedures on the teeth it can be beneficial to you in the long run.
            Even though we still know very little about this development, it is safe to say it will not eliminate the need for all invasive dental procedures. But every little bit helps and it can hopefully prevent a ripple affect on your dental health that could affect you for years.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS