What is it—A sealant is a clear or tinted plastic protective coating for teeth. It is painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars). These are the areas where most cavities form. Molars and premolars have grooves and crevices. Dentists call these pits and fissures. Food can get stuck in these crevices. Some are so deep that the bristles of a toothbrush can’t reach into them. Grooves and crevices provide the perfect environment for bacteria to grow and cause cavities. Sealants help to prevent this from happening. They cover the grooves and crevices so that food cannot get into them.

What it’s used for—Sealants are applied to teeth to help prevent cavities. In the past, they usually were used only in children. But adults also can get sealants Not only are sealants very effective, they cost a lot less than filling cavities. In children, sealants can be applied to baby molars to protect them from cavities. Eventually, these molars fall out and the new, permanent molars come in. These molars can be sealed, too. Most dentists recommend that sealants be applied to each permanent molar as soon as possible. This can be when the tooth is only partially erupted into the mouth. However, it can be done only if the tooth can be kept dry and free of saliva while the sealant is applied. If your child has a high risk of cavities, your dentist may decide to seal the premolars, or bicuspids, as well. The premolars are the teeth directly in front of the molars. Sealants can be used in adults who have an increased risk of developing cavities. Your dentist can suggest whether sealants are appropriate for you. Sealants can be put on teeth that show early signs of decay. But once the decay has broken through the enamel, the tooth will need a filling.

Preparation—Applying sealants is quick and painless. It can be done during a routine dental visit. No injections are needed. However, it is very important to sit still so the tooth or teeth being worked on will stay dry. This allows the sealant material to stick properly to the tooth.

How it’s done—The dentist/hygienist/Assistant cleans the area to remove any food or debris in and around the teeth. Then he or she makes sure the teeth are dry so that the sealant can stick. The sealant is applied in liquid form. It flows over and into the grooves and crevices. The sealant usually hardens (sets) within 20 to 60 seconds. Sometimes it is set with a special light.

Follow Up—Studies show that sealants can last a long time, sometimes as long as 15 years. But they don’t last forever. The dentist will check the sealants during routine visits. If necessary, the sealants can be replaced. Remember, sealants work well, but they can’t keep teeth cavity-free without some help. Keep brushing twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and visiting a dentist regularly.

Children with sealants still should: Brush twice a day with a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Floss between any teeth that touch each other. Get the right amount of fluoride, either by drinking fluoridated water or taking fluoride liquid or pills. See a dentist regularly.

HERODONTICS is a term used to describe measures taken beyond reasonable means to salvage a failing tooth. This was after all the oath taken by dentist traditionally: to save the tooth, no matter what it took. Herodontics meant taking any heroic measures in performing several treatments on a single tooth in hopes of saving it, even when faced with poor chances of success. The heroic procedures were lengthy, costly, certainly not easy and mostly unpredictable. Times have changed. Our current knowledge base and technology has resulted in a paradigm shift in treatment recommendations.

The true answer is: ‘yes, we can but we shouldn’t because there are better, more successful, treatments we can offer”. And if one answers “No” then we must question its basis. Is it a personal perspective, an opinion consensus of many, or backed by reliable evidence and literature?

We no longer have to be heroes. Herodontics is history. Perhaps we can practice ‘simpractidontics’: Simple and predictable dentist and offer our patients current therapies that are more successful, cost-effective and longer lasting. And let’s educate our patients about such possibilities and engage them in making better decisions. Let’s pull the plug on that problem tooth and spare our patients the pain frustrations, and the disappointments. Let’s give them better dentistry and make them happier and healthier. Let’s take an oath in doing right and become a different kind of hero.

The bacteria that cause these diseases release toxins that can circulate in the body. Especially in the body’s arterial system. The more advanced the gum disease, the thicker and harder the walls of the arteries become, thus causing narrowing of the arteries and this is a key factor in heart disease.

Gum diseases have been shown to contribute to diabetes, kidney disease, pre-term labor, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s and certain types of cancer.

With proper deep cleanings and removal of these bacterial build-ups on a regular basis, caught in early stages, may help prevent or lessen the effects of these conditions and lead to a healthier heart.

- Trenna Nelson, RDH

Dental floss (or dental tape) helps remove debris between the teeth and prevent plaque formation by removing the film of bacteria before it has a chance to harden into plaque. Flossing also reduces the likelihood of gum disease and tooth decay. Brushing alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Once made from silk fibers, today’s floss is usually made from nylon filaments or plastic monofilaments. It may be treated with flavoring agents, such as mint, to make flossing more pleasant.

The ADA does not recommend using a floss strand more than once. Used floss might fray, lose its effectiveness or may deposit bacteria in the mouth.

You can floss before or after brushing your teeth as long as you do a thorough job. If you use dental floss before you brush, the fluoride from the toothpaste has a better chance of reaching between teeth. Some people brush their teeth and unfortunately skip flossing for any number of reasons. That’s not a good idea.

Interdental cleaners are special wooden or plastic picks, sticks or brushes that are used to clean between teeth. Here are some of our favorites:

Proxabrush cleans between the teeth and also can be used to clean around the implants. It can have cylindrical or tapered shape, and is available in thin or ultra thin size.

Stim-U-Dent Plaque Removers are soft wooden cleaners that clean between the teeth and gently invigorate gums.

Squirt Brush is cylindrical proxy brush tip that attaches to a liquid reservoir that can be filled with an antibacterial rinse or your favorite mouthwash. Helps irrigate the interdental area between teeth during use to help flush away debris. Replaceable brush tips are available below and should be changed after each use.

Rubber tip stimulator is designed for gingival (gum) massage and interdental (between the teeth) cleaning. The rubber tip is latex free.

Floss Threaders can be used to remove plaque around bridges, braces and implants. Designed to slide easily between tooth surface and appliances.

Fear of the dentist is common in the U.S. Did you know that more than 75% of adults in this country experience some degree of dental fear? And 18% of adult Americans have anxiety disorders, which only makes things worse. The outcome of these problems is that 15% of the population declines necessary dental treatment because of a fear of oral injections.

Even people who aren’t included in the above categories routinely avoid dental care whenever possible because of dental fear. Some people would rather live in pain and discomfort than seek the treatment they need, all because of fear. Fear of pain, fear of injections, and fear of the dentist are some of the more common fears, and many other people have had bad experiences that they swear to never repeat again.

If you fall into one of the above groups, we want you to know that you aren’t alone. Fear of the dentist is more common than you might think and is something that dentists need to begin taking more seriously. Because many fears come from difficult childhood memories, it’s quite possible that you might not even know why you’re afraid of the dentist, just that you avoid going in at all costs.

Here at Tyson Dental, we have asked ourselves how we can help, so you can get the dental care you need in an atmosphere free from fear. Our answer? First, we offer you our empathy, knowledge, and experience. Then, because we care, we chose to become certified in sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry allows us to perform dentistry while you sleep. This means that you experience pain free dentistry in a safe, calm, and peaceful atmosphere. Because you remain conscious, you will still be able to recover and resume your normal daily activities quickly, instead of experiencing the recovery times usually associated with being put to sleep.

Dentistry while you sleep opens up a world of possibilities. Any procedure, from regular teeth cleaning to the placement of dental implants to cosmetic restoration and more, can be done in one or a few appoints, under sedation. You won’t have to worry about anything, because this is pain free dentistry at its best.

Even better than that is the fact that you will feel fantastic the next day. Having your dentistry done while you sleep, under sedation, means that you won’t have any of the bad memories you’ve come to associate with going to the dentist. In fact, you’ll hardly remember the time you spent sedated, where hours seem like minutes and recovery is a dream.

If the idea of dentistry while you sleep interests you, contact us today for more information. We’d love to talk to you about your options and help you get the dental care you need in a way you’re comfortable with.

Virginia Department of Health reports that Influenza-related activities continue to be on the upswing with H1N1 infection (swine flu) symptoms similar to seasonal influenza. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to become available by mid-October. Meanwhile, we urge you to consider at least some form of prevention.

1. Frequent hand-washing

2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water – (Periomed and Listerine can be alternatives) The H1N1 virus takes 2-3 days after infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Clean your nostrils or blow your nose once a day – similar to #3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm non-iodized salt water. You may want to use a Netipot, sold at Whole foods and other supermarkets. A very effective way to bring down viral population is blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water.

5. Take Vitamin C – Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc and/or bioflavonoids to boost absorption.
Drinking as much of warm liquids as you can – Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as a gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.