Proper oral hygiene, fluoride treatments, and a diet limiting consumption of high sugar content food and drink are of paramount importance in preventing and limiting dental disease. Of equal importance and not to be overlooked, is to have twice yearly or at least once a year exams and cleanings that detect dental disease in the earliest stages. In most instances dental disease is silent in that discomfort appears after much damage has been done. Consequently treatment is then more costly and time-consuming. Remember all big cavities start as small cavities.
A technique that we employ to prevent or limit cavities in children is with sealants.
Dental Caries (tooth decay) often occurs in the chewing surfaces of back teeth. However, we can help prevent or reduce the incidence of decay by applying sealants, which are necessary because even a single tooth brush bristle is too large to reach inside the fissure as the magnified picture illustrates.
Chewing surface of a permanent molar before sealant is applied
The surface is chemically treated with a mild solution to help the sealant adhere to the tooth surface.
Chewing surface of a molar protected by sealant (notice brown narrow lines are gone.)At Amherst Dental, we have a sealant program that entails a single fee even if the sealant needs to be replaced. In fact, we check the sealants at every recall prevention appointment.
