Tooth Decay Prevention

Tooth Decay Prevention by Marcie FraserPublished Mar 18, 2006
Tooth decay is one of the most chronic diseases for children and it is preventable. One half of all children have cavities by the second grade.
Dr. James McDonnell said that it is time to see your dentist after your child has eight teeth.
"A primary tooth is the most important one," said McDonnell.
We are born with 20 primary teeth or baby teeth and they begin to cut through the gums when a child is about 6 months old. As molars come in, around age four, brushing is not enough.
"Floss everyday, two times a day," said McDonnell.
Flossing starts early. Do the back teeth back in a back and forth motion. Once the six year, permanent molars come in, sealants may be a good option.
"Sealants are important and are the standard of care for pediatrics. Basically what we try to do with a sealant is cover over the deep fishers that you cannot clean on these back permanent molars. Sealants cost about 50 dollars a tooth and last about five years,” said McDonnell.
The most preventable agent for tooth decay is fluoride. It can be found in mouth rinses, toothpaste and in half of the nation’s water systems. In the office, fluoride treatments are applied to the teeth.
Be careful if your child’s toothpaste has fluoride.
"When you are using fluoride tooth paste with little kids, just put a little bit on because they typically don't spit, they typically swallow it, so it is a source of fluoride for them," said McDonnell.
Nothing is harder on the ears than a child grinding their teeth, one in three kids do it.
"There’s not one specific cause for grinding, but the important thing is to realize is, most of the time it does not cause any damage to your child's teeth," said McDonnell.
The good news is, the nasty grinding usually stops when the permanent teeth come in.

This article was drafted from R-News health watch

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DENTAL GRILLS (grillz or fronts)

Some celebrities have been flashing more than clean, white teeth at their fans. Under the spotlight, the glint from their mouths comes from “grills” or “grillz”—decorative covers often made of gold, silver or jewel-encrusted precious metals that snap over one or more of their teeth.

Grills, sometimes called “fronts,” generally are removable but some wearers have had their teeth altered with gold crowns to permanently resemble a grill. And some have tried to attach their grill with permanent cement—something that is not meant for internal use and can damage the teeth and tissues!

At present there are no studies that show that grills are harmful to the mouth—but there are no studies that show that their long-term wear is safe, either. Some grills are made from non-precious (base) metals that may cause irritation or metal-allergic reactions.

Boy Meets Grill

The trend toward tooth coverings was boosted in recent years by hip-hop icons and rappers such as Nelly and Paul Wall. Although wealthy musicians and some athletes have spent thousands of dollars to decorate their teeth with grills made of gold and platinum, most teenagers and young adults who want to emulate these celebrities do so by purchasing inexpensive do-it-yourself kits online or purchasing them from local jewelers. Some jewelers and other “grill” vendors are unaware that, in some states, taking an impression of someone's mouth is considered dentistry, which requires a license.

Wearers should be especially careful about brushing and flossing to prevent potential problems. Food and other debris may become trapped between the teeth and the grill allowing bacteria (PDF file/78k) to collect and produce acids. The acids can cause tooth decay and harm gum tissue. Bacteria may also contribute to bad breath. There also is the potential for grills to irritate surrounding oral tissues and to wear the enamel away on the opposing teeth.

To prevent problems, wearers should limit the amount of time spent wearing removable grills.If you already wear a grill, you should remove it before eating. It should be cleaned daily to remove plaque bacteria and food debris. Avoid using jewelry cleaners or any products that are dangerous to ingest.

If you are considering getting a dental grill, make sure you talk to your dentist first. Find out exactly what materials the grill is made of and avoid creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Grills might be trendy for the moment, but “pearly whites” will never go out of style.

Better Fillings

Hi Doc,

What are the advantages of new white fillings over the traditional silver fillings?

New Dental Plans Offered In NYS

Hi Doc this is another test to figure out the inner workings of this blog