Dentist's Corner

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PREVENTING TOOTH DECAY

A sticky film of bacteria, called plaque, constantly forms on teeth. When sugar and starch from food or drinks combine with plaque, an acid is produced. The acid attacks tooth enamel. Repeated acid attacks can break down enamel and eventually result in tooth decay.
      Sugar and starch are present in many foods, even fruit and vegetables. Although these foods can provide the nutrients children need, frequent, between-meal snacks expose teeth to acid attacks.

Daily Dental Care

Brushing twice a day and flossing are necessary to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
For brushing, a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is all a child needs. Children should be able to brush alone by age seven. Select a child-size toothbrush with soft bristles. It should be replaced every three to four months, or sooner if worn.
Flossing is a bit more difficult to master. Your dentist or hygienist can demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques. Supervise brushing and flossing until you're certain that the child is doing both properly.

Decay-Fighting Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens teeth and protects them from decay. It can be found in many toothpastes and in prescribed supplements. In communities that have optimal amounts of fluoride in the drinking water, children do not need a fluoride supplement. Talk to your dentist about the right level of fluoride for your child.

Sealants

A sealant is a plastic material that the dentist can paint on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth -- premolars and molars. It forms a barrier that protects teeth from plaque and acid attacks. It takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface is protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. During your regular dental visits, your dentist will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them when necessary.

Dental Visits

Regular dental check-ups, beginning by the child's first birthday, and preventive dental care, such as cleanings and fluoride treatment, provide your child with "smile" insurance. Routine dental e~ams uncover problems that can be treated in the early stages, when damage is minimal and restorations may be small. When necessary, X-rays are taken to see how the teeth are developing and to spot hidden decay.

Preventing Injuries 

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