 Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities. They are a plastic material usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay occurs most often. Getting sealants put on is simple and painless. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth.
Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. But toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by "sealing out" plaque and food. How effective are sealants? Properly applied sealants are 100-percent effective in protecting the tooth surfaces from cavities. So long as the sealant remains intact, small food particles and bacteria that cause cavities cannot penetrate through or around a sealant. Sealant protection is reduced or lost when part or all of the bond between the tooth and sealant is broken. Clinical studies have shown that teeth that have lost sealants are no more susceptible to tooth decay than teeth that were never sealed. How Are Sealants Applied? Applying sealant is a simple and painless process. It takes only a few minutes for your dentist or hygienist to apply the sealant to seal each tooth. The application steps are as follows:
Sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing at regular dental check-ups. Your dentist can replace sealants as necessary. Sealants are ideal for children, as there always are certain spots that your toothbrush just can't reach. For further information of sealants, visit your local dentist.  The purpose of X-rays is to allow dentists to see signs of disease or potential problems that are not visible to the naked eye. They should be suggested after the dentist has done a clinical exam and considered any signs and symptoms, oral and medical history, diet, hygiene, fluoride use and other factors that might suggest a higher risk of hidden dental disease.
There are two main types of dental X-rays: intraoral (meaning the X-ray film is inside the mouth) and extraoral (meaning the X-ray film is outside the mouth). Intraoral X-rays are the most common type of dental X-ray taken. These X-rays provide a lot of detail and allow your dentist to find cavities, check the health of the tooth root and bone surrounding the tooth, check the status of developing teeth, and monitor the general health of your teeth and jawbone. Extraoral X-rays show teeth, but their main focus is the jaw and skull. These X-rays do not provide the detail found with intraoral X-rays and therefore are not used for detecting cavities or for identifying problems with individual teeth. Instead, extraoral X-rays are used to look for impacted teeth, monitor growth and development of the jaws in relation to the teeth, and to identify potential problems between teeth and jaws and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ, see temporomandibular disorders for more information) or other bones of the face. Common reasons to go through with Dental X-rays are to
It is advisable for
 Invisible braces are similar to the conventional braces that are widely used. But invisible braces aren't very prominently visible when used. Do you want to get your uneven aligned teeth straight? But if you are sceptical about the traditional braces, here's an alternative for you. Consider using invisible braces.
They are suitable for adults Braces are for kids! This is a very strong belief that braces have a childish appeal and should be worn only by kids. Obviously, those metal wires don t really look nice when you open your mouth to make a conversation and they don t really make a good first impression either. In this case, invisible braces become a suitable option for adults. They aren't visibly prominent nor do they make you look childish. No metal used in this treatment If you don t want to wear those traditional metal wires, invisible braces is a better option for you. These braces follow the same procedure of treatment; the only difference is that they are made up of clear material like ceramic and plastic rather metal. You face less discomfort and it is a painless treatment Placing and treating of invisible braces is easy, they are usually stuck on every tooth and not placed inside a bracket. Since there is no bracket, it causes less discomfort during the treatment days and also makes the procedure is painless and hassle-free. They are completely customized These braces are completely customized. They are designed as per the requirement of the patient to get in the desired result. Its color is matched with the tooth color of the patient so that they remain unnoticed by others. They can be removed and re-worn easily Traditional braces usually are very messy when it comes to eating and cleaning. Once you eat something sticky, it easily gets stuck in the brackets and doesn't get off unless you use special tools to remove the particles. Since invisible braces have separate brackets for each tooth, you can remove them while eating and wear them again later on. Who can use them? Invisible braces also know as orthodontic treatment, can be used by people who have misaligned teeth that either need to be pushed in or pulled out. In case of severe misalignment where removing and replacing of the tooth / teeth is required, orthodontic treatment is not recommended. They give speedy results Invisible braces work separately on every tooth, hence it shows speedy results. You only need to wear each set of braces for about 3 weeks, in some cases even less. Wherein your dentist appointment will be scheduled every third week so that you progress can be measured and steps can be taken accordingly. If unevenly aligned teeth are your problem and you don t want those metal wires, invisible braces is the perfect solution to your problem.  Poor and infrequent brushing may be major obstacles keeping children from having excellent oral health and are the areas that cause caregivers the greatest concern.
Toddlers don't really understand why they need to brush their teeth, no matter what stories we tell them about cavities. And having someone else put something in your mouth and move it around is simply scary, or at least uncomfortable. Most of us don't enjoy visiting the dentist every six months; we ask kids to open their mouths for us twice a day. No wonder they resist. Holding a child down is always a bad idea. It's guaranteed to make them hate brushing their teeth. And it undermines your relationship with them. Getting children to brush regularly, and correctly, can be a real challenge. Here are some easy ideas to encourage brushing: 1. Make brushing teeth just part of the routine. You may want to try it before bath time so your little one is not so tired. Or even during the bath. It may be more work for you, but your child will be more playful and relaxed. 2. Consider skipping toothpaste, or use flavored toothpastes made for children. Most dentists say that's fine at this age, and since most kids don't like toothpaste, you might experiment to see if that makes him/her more open to brushing. The other option is to buy a bunch of kids' toothpastes one after the other, trying them and giving then choices to see which works for your child. Maybe they'll will love one and that will give them incentive. 3. Keep it VERY short! Having someone poke around in your mouth can seem iffy, even to an adult. The idea now is to get your kid used to the idea of brushing. You can lengthen the amount of brushing time by using songs and timers as they get older, but for now, waste no time. 4. Play "copycat". Since most kids that are very young enjoy learning by copying us, but want to "do it themselves," brush your teeth together, while looking into the mirror. Have them copy you in the mirror as you brush. It'll be a less than thorough job, but it is a good start and teaches them that they're the ones doing the hard work and this will make brushing an accomplishment. That way they don't have to rebel against brushing teeth even if they goes through periods where they won't let you brush their teeth. Make it a fun game. If none of these work, don't hesitate to contact your local dentist about the same- you're probably not the first caregiver who has faced this sort of problem!  Having straight teeth is important for reasons that go beyond cosmetic needs. Teeth that are crowded or that are spaced too widely can result in red, swollen gums. Properly aligned teeth have the gums securely surrounding the teeth which acts as a barrier against problems like periodontal diseases. Straight teeth are also easier to clean as food does not get trapped in between the nooks and cause decay and other problems like bad breath and possible loss of teeth. Having the teeth straightened can also take care of problems caused by uneven teeth such as an improper bite, difficulties with chewing and speech, misaligned jaws and more wear on the enamel.
Many patients seeking straighter teeth will consider the benefits of traditional braces, as well as other types of braces. Traditional Braces Traditional braces feature small metal or ceramic brackets that are bonded to each tooth. Metal wires are then attached to each bracket across each row of teeth. Orthodontists can tighten and position the wires as they wish, providing optimal control over the teeth straightening process. Dental braces feature brackets that tend to run along a wire. An orthodontist or other trained dental professional is responsible for affixing the dental braces onto the teeth. The wire and brackets that form part of the braces are pressed against the patient's teeth. This supports slight movements that can help in properly aligning and straightening the teeth. Dental braces can correct even the most complicated issues in aligning the teeth. The braces are not only esthetically pleasing, but functional as well. These are beneficial in closing gaps and correcting crooked teeth. Invisalign Invisalign and other invisible braces systems use clear, plastic aligners that are similar in appearance to mouth guards. These aligners are fitted to the teeth, and switched out roughly every two weeks. They are removable, so patients can remove them while eating and cleaning their teeth. The use of Invisalign is an efficient method for tooth movements that are not too complicated. A set of clear, computer-generated trays is ideally worn 24 hours a day with change-outs every two weeks. There are certain trays that can last for six months to one year. One of its best advantages is that the trays are relatively invisible, hence the name Invisalign. Some people simply don't want anyone to know they are wearing braces. They also provide help for people who wish to obtain straight teeth while still feeling comfortable in social situations. Wearing Invisalign offers comfort because it does not affect your speech. Invisalign treatment can be expected to work more efficiently for esthetic purposes rather than for the purpose of improving the functionality of the teeth. This is why many people, especially those who have complex dental problems, still prefer dental braces. If this still hasn't helped you make a decision, your best bet is to visit your friendly neighborhood dentist for further clarifications and consultations regarding Invisalign, Braces and any other dental-related problems you may have. |
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Dr. Alexander Yeh and Dr. Iyad Al-Qishawi are registered general dentists. They graduated in the same class at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Dentistry. Archives
July 2016
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