PREVENTION

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a progressive disease resulting in the interaction of bacteria that naturally occur on the teeth and sugars in the everyday diet. Sugar causes a reaction in the bacteria, causing it to produce acids that break down the mineral in teeth, forming a cavity. Dentists remove the decay and fill the tooth using a variety of fillings, restoring the tooth to a healthy state. Nerve damage can result from severe decay and may require a crown (a crown is like a large filling that can cap a tooth, making it stronger or covering it). Avoiding unnecessary decay simply requires strict adherence to a dental hygiene regimen: brushing and flossing twice a day, regular dental checkups, diet control and fluoride treatment. Practicing good hygiene avoids unhealthy teeth and costly treatment.

Sealants

How does a sealant help prevent decay?
A sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth—premolars and molars. The plastic resin in a sealant bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant then acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids which cause tooth decay. The procedure to place a sealant takes only a few minutes for each tooth. Developmental depressions and grooves of the teeth need extra protection because they are difficult to clean. They are the most frequently decayed surfaces of the teeth. According to some studies, sealants have reduced tooth decay over 90 percent. This high rate of success is why the American Dental Association recommends that all children and adults have sealants applied to their permanent premolars and molars. These teeth generally start appearing around age 6 or 7. Properly placed, a sealant should remain 1 to 5 years or longer before needing repair or replacement.

How does AccuCare’s Sealant Club work?
One of AccuCare’s staff members will apply the sealants to the permanent teeth and with regular examinations, the sealants are checked for wear and repaired or replaced as necessary at no cost to the patient. If a sealant-coated permanent tooth ever appears decayed at the recall examination and cleaning appointment, AccuCare will fill that surface of the tooth at no cost to the patient.

AccuCare’s Sealant Club sounds like a great deal. What’s the catch?
There really isn’t a catch because sealants really do work at preventing tooth decay. However, as with anything, there are some limitations:

• The patient must be seen in an AccuCare office for a recall examination and cleaning a minimum of every 6 months. In the event the patient somehow misses their recall examination and cleaning, the patient can re-enter the Sealant Club simply by having a recall examination and cleaning in which the sealant(s) are found to be intact.
• Applies only to the filling the surface of a permanent tooth covered by the sealant.
• If the tooth needs a more extensive procedure (i.e., larger filling, crown, root canal treatment, etc.), the cost of filling the surface covered by the sealant will be deducted from the overall procedure’s fee.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a substance that helps teeth become stronger and resistant to decay. Regularly drinking water treated with fluoride and brushing and flossing regularly ensures significantly lower cavities. Dentists can evaluate the level of fluoride in a primary drinking water source and recommend fluoride supplements (usually in tablets or drops), if necessary.

Thumb Sucking

Sucking is a natural reflex that relaxes and comforts babies and toddlers. Children usually cease thumb sucking when the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Typically, children stop between the ages of 2 and 4 years. Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of primary teeth can cause improper growth of the mouth and misalignment of the teeth. If you notice prolonged and/or vigorous thumb sucking behavior in your child, talk to your dentist.

Here are some ways to help your child outgrow thumb sucking:

• Don’t scold a child when they exhibit thumb sucking behavior; instead, praise them when they don’t thumb suck.
• Focus on eliminating the cause of anxiety—thumb sucking is a comfort device that helps children cope with stress or discomfort.
• Praise them when they refrain from the habit during difficult periods.
• Place a bandage on the thumb or a sock on their hand at night