Dental Sealants Are a Simple and Effective Prevention Strategy

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Dental sealants have been in common use for about three decades, and technology has advanced and improved them over the years. Sealants act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. They are typically applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth — the premolars and molars — where decay occurs most often. Children are especially good candidates for this preventive treatment.

The most likely place for a child to get a cavity is in the small pits and grooves in their back teeth, areas that are extremely difficult to keep clean. Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, but toothbrush bristles often cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by "sealing out" bacteria-causing plaque and food.

A sealant is a plastic resin that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. It protects enamel from cavity-causing plaque and acids. While sealants aren't 100 percent effective in preventing cavities, they can significantly reduce the risk of decay, especially if a patient visits his or her dentist regularly to have worn out or missing sealants replaced.

Sealants are easy for your dentist to apply, and it takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth. The teeth that will be sealed are cleaned first, then the chewing surfaces are roughened with an acid solution to help the sealant adhere to the tooth. The sealant is then painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes an ultraviolet light is used to help the material cure and harden.

As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Dental sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. During regular dental visits, your dentist will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them whenever necessary.

Of course, the basics for tooth decay prevention include twice-daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste; daily flossing; eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks; and visiting your dentist regularly. Ask your dentist whether sealants can augment your family's prevention program.

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Glenwood Meadows Dental

40 Market Street, Suite A

Glenwood Springs, CO  81601

970-947-1717

www.gmeadowsdental.com

Endodontic Treatment: Root Canal 101

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

People fear, dread, and postpone getting them. They are fodder for countless jokes. What are they? 

Root canals.

But like a lot of things in life, the anticipation of a root canal is far worse than the actual process of getting one. And consider this: years ago, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you would likely lose that tooth entirely. Now, not only can teeth be saved through endodontics, or root canal therapy, but medical advances have made this treatment relatively simple, with little or no discomfort. Most root canals involve one to three visits to your general dentist or endodontist.

A root canal treats the dental pulp, or the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue in healthy teeth. Dental pulp lies within the tooth and extends from the crown to the tip of the root, in the bone of the jaw. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. The most common cause of pulp death is a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. If vulnerable dental pulp is left without treatment, pus builds up at the root tip in the jawbone in the 'root canal', forming a pocket called an abscess. An abscess can cause damage to the bone around the teeth; and not only that, an abscess usually hurts.

A molar, showing the 'root canals'

As for the actual procedure of an endodontic root canal treatment, the dentist removes the diseased or dead pulp from a tooth, the 'root canal' itself is cleaned, and then the tooth is sealed off to protect it. Finally, your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger, and the procedure is complete.

Here's the step-by-step process of how a tooth is saved through root canal treatment:

• An opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
• The pulp is removed, and the 'root canals' are cleaned, enlarged and shaped.
• Medications may be put in the pulp chamber and 'root canals' to help get rid of germs and prevent infection.
• A temporary filling will be placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth between dental visits. Your dentist may leave the tooth open for a few days to drain. You might also be given medicine to control any infection that may have spread beyond the tooth.
• The temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and 'root canals' are cleaned, filled and sealed.
• A gold or porcelain crown is placed over the tooth as the final step.    

Your restored tooth will likely last a lifetime, with continued preventive care and good oral hygiene.  

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Glenwood Meadows Dental

40 Market Street, Suite A

Glenwood Springs, CO  81601

970-947-1717

www.gmeadowsdental.com

Dental Emergencies and Accidents: the Doctor is in!

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

As a dentist, it is ideal to meet my patients for the first time during a routine visit for an exam or teeth-cleaning. Very often, however, the first patient-dentist contact takes place because of a dental emergency. That's okay too: like most dentists, I reserve some time in each day's schedule for emergency patients. Emergency visits are usually preceded by a phone call from the patient or family member, and this communication is extremely helpful, so I can receive as much advance detail on the emergency condition as possible.

Often, patients aren't sure if the dental problem they're experiencing is an emergency. I offer this advice: If it hurts, it's an emergency. Remember, pain is a signal that something is wrong; a problem that will not disappear even if the pain subsides. This is because even injuries that seem small can affect the living tissues inside the teeth. Any obvious damage to a tooth should be treated as soon as possible. Chips or fractures can affect the living tissue inside the tooth, causing more problems in the future. In rare instances, infection can occur and be serious enough to be life-threatening. An immediate visit to your dentist nearly always prevents the damage from getting worse.

Quick treatment is also essential for a lost filling or crown. Even if you don't have any pain symptoms, if you have lost a restorative device the tooth has lost its support and it could easily become damaged. Pieces of tooth often break off or crumble later, making even more extensive treatment necessary. If you see your dentist right away, there's a good chance he or she will be able to repair the damage more easily--and affordably. 

There are a number of simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to your teeth. One way to reduce the chances of damage to your teeth, lips, cheek and tongue is to wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities that may pose a risk. Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth. And although it may seem obvious, it's important to cut things using scissors, rather than your teeth!

Accidents do happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. These are some common dental injuries, with advice on how to deal with them:

• Knocked-out tooth: Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. Put the tooth in a cup of milk and get to the dentist as quickly as possible. Remember to bring the tooth with you!

• Bitten lip or tongue:  Clean the area gently with a cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.

• Broken tooth:  Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the area to keep any swelling down. Call your dentist immediately.

• Possible broken jaw: Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Go to your dentist or a hospital emergency department immediately.

• Objects caught between teeth: Try to gently remove the object with dental floss; avoid cutting the gums. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth. If you can’t dislodge the object using dental floss, contact your dentist.

• Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth. One old home remedy for toothaches called for putting aspirin against the gums near the aching tooth; we recommend against this because it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact your dentist.

Today, dentists have many options for dealing with dental emergencies. There are advances in pain management and ways to restore teeth. Teeth can be repaired with synthetic materials that are strong and look as good as your natural teeth. Your dentist has the training and skills to identify what the problem is and how serious it is. He or she can almost always reduce or eliminate your pain within a few minutes.

If you’re concerned about visiting the dentist because you have limited or no dental insurance, ask if the practice offers an outside monthly payment plan; most do. If the answer is yes, you can submit an application online and get an immediate credit decision—and the emergency care you need.

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Glenwood Meadows Dental

40 Market Street, Suite A

Glenwood Springs, CO  81601

970-947-1717

www.gmeadowsdental.com

Baby Teeth: Early Care Important

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Primary teeth, or "baby teeth" typically begin to appear when a baby is between six months and one year old. Primary teeth help children chew and speak. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. The American Dental Association (ADA) now recommends that a dentist examine a child within six months after the first tooth comes in and no later than the first birthday. Parents should consider a dental visit at an early age is a "well baby checkup" for the teeth.

Recent statistics from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry cite that nearly 50 percent of children will be affected by tooth decay before age five, and of the four million children born each year in the U.S., more than half will have cavities by the time they reach second grade. A child's primary teeth are as important as the permanent adult teeth, and there are recommended techniques to care for them to ensure lifelong dental health.

Besides checking for tooth decay and other problems, with an early visit your dentist can show you how to clean your child's teeth and gums properly, and how to evaluate any adverse habits such as thumbsucking. Your dentist can recommend the healthiest type of pacifier, too.

Begin cleaning your baby's mouth during the first few days after birth. Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottle before going to sleep. After every feeding, wipe the baby's gums with a clean gauze pad. This removes plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, and residual food that can harm erupting teeth. Starting early with this dental hygiene practice helps your baby become accustomed to a regular routine for lifelong dental care.

When teeth first come in, babies may have sore and tender gums. Gently rubbing your child's gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze pad can be soothing. You can also give the baby a clean teething ring to chew on. If your child is still cranky or in pain after these techniques, consult your dentist or physician.

The central incisors, or the "front teeth", are the first to come in. Usually the bottom teeth appear first. The next teeth are the lateral incisors, next to the central incisors. Over the next two years, the canine teeth (cuspids), first molars, and second molars appear. Most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the time they are three years old.

As soon as teeth appear in the mouth, tooth decay can begin to occur. When your child's teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a child's size toothbrush and water. Brush the teeth of children over age two with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Be sure they spit out the toothpaste and rinse with water. Most dentists and physicians do not recommend using fluoride toothpaste before the age of two. As brushing transitions from the parent to the child's independent activity, it's important to maintain a persistent and observant role, to be certain these good health habits continue.

A scientific paper in the journal Pediatric Dentistry revealed that children who wait to have their first dental visit until age two or three are more likely to require restorative and emergency visits. Establishing good oral health and preventive care early can save money and preserve oral health for a lifetime.

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Glenwood Meadows Dental

40 Market Street, Suite A

Glenwood Springs, CO  81601

970-947-1717

www.gmeadowsdental.com