Are you looking for a simple yet highly effective way to protect your teeth from decay? Look no further than dental sealants. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of dental sealants and provide an in-depth look at the dental sealant procedure.

At Creekside Dental, we believe in the importance of preventative dental care, and dental sealants are just one of the many ways we help our patients keep their teeth healthy and strong.

How Dental Sealants Work

To understand how dental sealants work, it’s essential first to understand the anatomy of your teeth. Teeth have deep grooves and fissures that can trap food particles and plaque, making them difficult to clean with just a toothbrush and floss. Over time, these particles and plaque can cause tooth decay, leading to cavities and other oral health issues.

Dental sealants create a barrier between your teeth, the food particles, and plaque that cause decay. The dental sealant material is a tooth-colored acrylic “coating” painted onto the tooth’s surface, effectively sealing the deep grooves and fissures.

Who Should Get Dental Sealants

Both children and adults can benefit from dental sealants.

Children

1. Children are at high risk for tooth decay due to several factors. First and foremost, children’s teeth are still developing and are more vulnerable to decay. Additionally, children may need to develop oral hygiene habits fully and may not brush and floss their teeth as thoroughly as they should. Children are also more likely to consume sugary foods and drinks, which can contribute to tooth decay.
2. The American Dental Association recommends that children get sealants when their permanent molars come in, typically around age six. The molars have deep grooves and fissures that are difficult to clean with a toothbrush and floss, making them more susceptible to decay. By getting sealants as soon as the molars come in, children can get maximum protection against decay.
3. School-based sealant programs are becoming increasingly popular to provide children with access to preventative dental care. These programs typically involve dental professionals visiting schools to apply sealants to children’s teeth. This approach is cost-effective and convenient, as it eliminates the need for parents to take time off work to bring their children to the dentist. Additionally, school-based sealant programs can reach children needing access to regular dental care due to financial or transportation barriers.

Adults

1. Sealants are not just for children; adults can also benefit from this preventative dental treatment. Adults are also at risk for tooth decay, and sealants can help protect their teeth from decay-causing bacteria. Adults with no cavities in their molars or premolars are good candidates for sealants. Adults with deep grooves and fissures in their teeth can also benefit from sealants, as these areas are difficult to clean and more susceptible to decay.
2. The ideal time to get adult sealants is as soon as possible after the teeth have erupted. However, getting sealants is always early enough; adults can benefit from this preventative treatment anytime. Dental professionals may recommend sealants for adults at high risk for tooth decay due to poor oral hygiene habits, a diet high in sugar, or a history of cavities. Adults with dental work such as fillings or crowns may also be good candidates for sealants. These restorations provide less protection against decay than natural tooth enamel. By getting sealants, adults can help protect their teeth from decay and avoid needing more extensive dental work in the future.

The Dental Sealant Procedure

Getting dental sealants is a simple and painless procedure that takes only a few minutes per tooth. The first step is cleaning and drying the teeth to be sealed. Once the teeth are dry, an acidic gel is applied to roughen the tooth’s surface, which helps the dental sealant bond to the tooth.

The acidic gel is then rinsed off, and the tooth is dried again. Finally, the dental sealant material is painted onto the tooth, and a special curing light is used to harden the material.

Sealant Maintenance and Longevity

Dental sealants can last several years with proper care and maintenance. Brushing and flossing regularly is essential, and avoiding eating hard or sticky foods that could damage the sealant. During your regular dental checkups, your dentist will check the condition of your sealants and recommend a reapplication if necessary.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

The cost of dental sealants varies depending on where you live and your dental insurance coverage. However, dental sealants are typically less expensive than filling a cavity, making them a cost-effective preventative measure. In addition, many dental insurance plans cover dental sealants for children, and some plans also cover sealants for adults.

Conclusion

At Creekside Dental, we believe in the importance of preventative dental care, and dental sealants are just one of the many ways we help our patients keep their teeth healthy and strong. If you want dental sealants for yourself or your child, schedule an appointment with us today. Our friendly and experienced team will be happy to answer any questions you may

A toothache is one of the most common dental problems. It’s also excruciating. But there are ways to prevent it from happening again. Read on to discover them!

Brush Twice Daily With Fluoride Toothpaste

Fluoride helps strengthen enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth. The enamel makes it more resistant to decay. If you use non-fluorinated toothpaste, switch to a fluoridated version.
Three recommended kinds of toothpaste.
These kinds of toothpaste have earned a spot on this list for different reasons. Some are for whitening, some are for sensitive teeth, and some do it all. But they are all highly recommended by dentists. Other kinds of toothpaste are effective in cleaning your teeth. Do a little research to find out which is best for you.

Colgate Total

Colgate Total is an excellent option for toothpaste that fights plaque. It fights plaque for up to 12 hours. The formula is very effective at fighting gingivitis. Best of all, different types of Colgate Total provide the same plaque-fighting ability while accomplishing other things. The Advance Whitening whitens, Daily Repair fixes damage to your teeth, and Deep Clean (not surprisingly) deep cleans teeth.

Crest Pro-Health
One of the only toothpaste accepted by the ADA in six categories, Crest Pro-Health, does it all. In addition to whitening teeth, it reduces sensitivity, prevents cavities, fights plaque, prevents gingivitis, and combats bad breath. For overall oral hygiene, this toothpaste is a winner.

Sensodyne ProNamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste

People with sensitive teeth shouldn’t be limited to one type of toothpaste. Sensodyne ProNamel Gentle Whitening toothpaste gives individuals with sensitive gums and teeth a chance to whiten them. It also hardens weakened enamel and, in doing so, prevents tooth decay.

Floss At Least Once Per Day

It would be best if you floss every day. That means brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, then flossing between teeth. Flossing removes plaque and food particles that collect between your teeth.

The short answer is yes; you should floss every day. The American Dental Association recommends flossing your teeth daily to improve oral health and prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and more.

Be careful; it is unnecessary to floss more than once daily. Dentists warn that flossing more than once a day can cause severe damage to your gum tissue—if you are flossing incorrectly. Flossing too harshly or too often can harm the gum line and expose more of your tooth’s roots.

Yes, the Dentist Knows

Your dentist can tell if your habit of not flossing has led to cavities between your teeth. However, even if the problem hasn’t reached that point, your dentist and dental hygienist can still tell in a second whether you’ve been flossing.

Avoid Sticky Foods Like Candy Or Gum

You might chew more than usual if you eat sticky candies or gum. The chewing will cause bacteria to build up under your gums. Over time, these bacteria can lead to an infection called periodontal disease.

Sticky candy: The more humid the sweet candy, the worse it is for your teeth. A sugary candy that sticks in the crevices in your teeth is a recipe for tooth decay. In addition, sticky candy is difficult to remove, meaning it will stay on the teeth longer, which allows more tooth-decay-causing bacteria to feast on the sugar and multiply.

Brush your teeth 30-60 minutes after eating sweets.

Brushing too soon after eating sugary or acidic food can damage the enamel. After eating, acids sit in your mouth and weaken your enamel. You are helping the acids erode enamel from your teeth by brushing right after.

Don’t Forget To Visit Your Dentist Regularly

To avoid getting a toothache, brush your teeth a least twice per day and floss your teeth at least once a day. You should also see your dentist every six months for regular checkups. They’ll help you keep your mouth healthy by removing plaque buildup and preventing infections.

See your dentist as soon as possible about your toothache if:
1. You have a toothache that lasts longer than 1 or 2 days.
2. When opening your mouth wide, your toothache is severe if you have a fever, earache, or pain.

If a cavity is causing the toothache, your dentist will fill the cavity or take the tooth out, if necessary. A root canal (a procedure to remove and replace the infected pulp with sealing material) may be needed if the cause of the toothache is an infection of the tooth’s nerve.

Seek emergency treatment if you have the following symptoms, along with a toothache:

1. Swelling in your jaw or face may be a sign that your tooth infection is spreading.
2. Chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or other heart attack symptoms.
3. Wheezing, a cough that won’t disappear, or coughing up blood.

 

After a dentist removes a tooth, a Dental implant is necessary. It is essential to replace a lost tooth, as the consequences of eliminating/losing a tooth and doing nothing can grow into a much larger problem as time goes on.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth that replaces your natural tooth. Dental implants are a common intervention for tooth loss. There are many reasons for tooth loss, including lack of/poor oral hygiene, plaque and tartar buildup, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Dental implants consist of an artificial tooth root placed in your jawbone, creating a permanent, strong foundation and structure for a replacement tooth. The dental implant not only replaces the tooth but the root as well. You are permanently fixing a damaged or decaying root and tooth.

A missing tooth can lead to other problems with your teeth. One little shift will turn into another and another, which will change the whole dynamic of your teeth and mouth. In addition, modifications in your bite can lead to problems with your dental occlusion (the way your teeth come together), which can cause many issues that affect your life more than just inside your mouth.

When are dental implants necessary?

Dental implants are necessary when you have missing teeth. Having your dentist add a dental implant is required when you do not want to get dentures, bridges, or crowns. Ask your doctor about the importance of replacing a lost or removed tooth. Sometimes not replacing a tooth can turn into a much larger issue.

Dental implants generally look like the other teeth in your mouth, and they also play an essential role in the overall function of your mouth. Dental implants support a healthy bite, keeping each tooth in place while supporting a healthy jawbone and preventing bone deterioration. The jawbone can deteriorate when a tooth is lost or pulled and not replaced. The issue may happen because the pressure and stimulus of chewing preserve the jawbone in the first place.

Dental implants may also feel necessary for the visual aspect. For example, you may feel self-conscious about your smile, and dental implants can help with that. Your self-esteem and self-confidence are essential. Eating comfortably (especially at social gatherings), smiling, and laughing without pain, worry, or holding back is crucial and will significantly impact your life.

Here are five reasons why dental implants are so popular.

1. Natural Look and comfortable fit.

A dental implant is designed to look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. In addition, implants give patients the confidence to smile, eat, and engage in social activities without worrying about their appearance or if their dentures will fall out.

2. Long-lasting and reliable

With proper care and maintenance, implants with predictable outcomes can last as long as conventional restorations or teeth.

3. High success rate

Well-planned and cared-for dental implants generally offer better replacement options. In addition, people in good health have the best chance of a successful implant.

4. Improvability to eat and chew

Dental implants are anchored onto your jawbone just like natural teeth.

Replacing missing teeth with implants allow you to chew your food better and speak more clearly.

5. Improved facial and bone features

A dental implant preserves natural tooth tissue by avoiding the need to cut down adjacent teeth for conventional bridgework. In addition, dental implants help restore your jawbone structure.

Benefits of dental implants

Dental implants have several benefits. They can help with your overall self-esteem and act as your natural tooth/teeth would. They look and feel like your natural teeth, can boost your confidence, are durable, and convenient, and help support your overall oral health. They also assist in keeping your speech, comfort, and chewing abilities. With dental implants, you do not have to remove them, and you can brush, floss, eat, drink, and sleep with your dental implants in, compared to dentures.

The next best thing to natural teeth is dental implants.

Dental implants look and act like your natural teeth. As a result, dental implants may provide longer-term value and benefit over conventional teeth replacement options.

If you think a dental implant may be appropriate for you, visit Creekside Dental in Idaho Falls and find out if an implant is needed first. Dr. Kidman can help you decide if a dental implant is necessary and ultimately develop the right treatment plan for you.

Taking care of our teeth is critical to good health. However, three habits could potentially harm our teeth. Letting go of these habits is a positive step towards maintaining healthy teeth throughout your life.

Habit Number One – Nail Biting

This nervous habit can chip teeth and impact your jaw. However, there are several ways to overcome this nervous habit.

• Keep your nails trimmed short. Having shorter nails provides less to bite and is less tempting.
• Apply the bitter-tasting nail polish to your nails.
• Get regular manicures.
• Replace the nail-biting habit with good practice.
• Identify your triggers.
• Try to stop biting your nails gradually.

Habit Number Two – Brushing Too Hard

A good rule of thumb is to wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after meals. In general, foods and drinks high in sugars/carbohydrates may promote the accumulation of bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria will damage your tooth enamel (protective layer) for 20-30 minutes. Please note it might seem appropriate to clean your teeth immediately, but that’s not always ideal.

If you consume acidic foods/beverages such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, it’s best to avoid brushing your teeth for 30 minutes. Your tooth enamel is at its weakest state, and brushing may lead to unnecessary aggravation. In this case, brushing your teeth or drinking water before consuming acidic foods is wiser. Brushing your teeth before consuming acidic foods helps cleanse the teeth and wash away pre-existing acids from previous meals.

In addition, some dentists recommend eliminating foods high in sugars or carbohydrates from your diet to prevent enamel erosion.

For example, sodas (regular and diet) are high in sugar, and phosphoric acid can cause substantial enamel erosion and permanent damage. Therefore, limiting or purging regular consumption of these soft drinks is best to improve your dental health.  Talk to your family dentist for more information about proper brushing.

Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day

The common question is, how often should we brush our teeth daily? In most cases, official studies indicate the bare minimum is “twice a day” to maintain good oral health.

The goal of brushing your teeth is to remove food particles and plaque (sticky white biofilm) on or between your teeth. If ignored, the teeth will start to erode, break down, and give rise to cavities. In most cases, the plaque will turn into tartar, which is significantly harder to remove.

Please remember this should tie in with a comprehensive oral care regimen, including the following steps.

• Flossing (Daily)
• Consumption of Water (At Least Eight Glasses Per Day)
• Healthier Diet (Elimination of Sugars)
• Limiting of Snacks Between Large Meals
• Reducing the length of snacking time
• Regular Dental Visits (Semi-Annual)
• Replacement of Toothbrush (3-4 Months)

Brushing your teeth twice daily will guarantee appropriate results and make it easier to prevent tooth decay or related dental issues.

Brushing Teeth in the Morning Is Important

Brushing your teeth twice is good; one of those times should come in the morning. Brushing in the morning is the best opportunity to eliminate built-up residue (plaque), tartar, and trapped food particles.

Brushing your teeth in the morning prevents “morning breath” and additional accumulation of bacteria. The bacteria gather on your teeth overnight as saliva production slows down to a crawl. Once this happens, the bacteria will spread and multiply to eat away at your enamel. If you don’t brush your teeth, the buildup will continue.

Brush At A 45-Degree Angle.

Brushing your teeth is terrific, but what techniques should we use? Are you brushing your teeth properly?

In most cases, you’re not, and that’s a significant issue.

Proper brushing requires a 45-degree angle, stroking in the direction your teeth grow instead of going straight across. Take the time to brush methodically (two minutes). If not, you’re most likely going to miss the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. Each stroke should be careful, precise, and gentle. Please take the time to get close to your gumline as bacteria may settle in and lead to gingivitis/periodontitis.

Here is more on what the perfect brushing routine encompasses.

Learning this and making it a part of your daily routine for optimal results is in your favor. If not, plaque buildup, tartar, and bacteria will become a problem for oral health.

Steps For Perfect Brushing Routine:

• Use Soft-Bristled Brush
• Clean Outer Surfaces of Teeth (Upper and Lower)
• Clean Inner Surfaces of Teeth (Upper and Lower)
• Brush Your Tongue
• Clean Chewing Surfaces (Upper and Lower)

The ideal brushing routine stems from the implementation of these tips. Use this advice to reshape or tweak your current

regimen for increased results.

Habit Number Three – Chewing Ice Cubes

As strong as human teeth are and as hard as tooth enamel is, we should not use our teeth to crunch and grind ice cubes (in any quantity or texture). The problem isn’t merely that ice is hard and so cold. When our teeth experience extreme temperature changes, the enamel expands and contracts, causing tiny cracks and weakening the overall structure — like what happens to the pavement in places where it snows.

Weakened enamel can lead to other problems like tooth sensitivity and greater vulnerability to decay, and ice isn’t good for gum tissue either. It’s so cold that it can have a numbing effect while eating it, which might mean you don’t notice an injury to the gum tissue. Ice can even chip or break teeth as well.

Always consult your dentist for any changes in your dental health. You are welcome to visit with Dr. Ryan Kidman at Creekside Dental.

Dental health is vital to overall physical health. Unfortunately, many times, oral health issues result from poor dental hygiene. In addition, several habits lead to poor dental health. Some of these habits appear harmless but can cause degenerating overall physical health.

As habits are identified, removing any practice leading to bad dental hygiene might be a good time. Be sure to consult your family dentist to improve dental health.

Let’s review eight of these bad habits. This is not a complete list of issues that could cause damage to teeth and health.

Biting Fingernails

Nail-biting leads to injuries to the nails, cuticles, and skin surrounding the nails. These broken, jagged nails can now cause damage to the delicate gum tissue. And to make things worse, fingernails harbor many germs and bacteria, leading to the risk of illness and oral infections. Fingernail biting is a habit that may cause embarrassment along with ill health.

Too Many Late-Night Eating Binges

Having too many Binge Eating Nights, more harm can happen to teeth than suspected. Carbohydrates break down into simple sugars on chewing. So, eating excessive carbohydrates before going to bed sticks to your dental surfaces and in interdental spaces, thus leading to dental problems.

Plus, many people who binge feel bad about their weight, leading to low self-esteem, which can cause more overeating. Being overweight or obese can also raise your chances of getting long-term health problems such as breathing that stops many times during the night (sleep apnea), loss of energy, and heart issues.

Chewing or Smoking Tobacco

The sugar and irritants in smokeless tobacco products can cause cavities, abrasion, teeth staining, bad breath, gum disease, receding gums, bone loss around roots, and tooth loss. In addition, other health risks such as cancer, lung disease, and poor blood circulation, to mention a few.

Opening Packages with Your Teeth

Beer bottles, candy wrappers, and envelopes — don’t use your teeth when opening these items. Not only can the teeth crack you can get a chipped tooth from complex objects such as bottle caps, but this behavior can also lead to accelerated tooth wear, poor jaw alignment, and jaw pain. Also, please don’t use them like scissors. Broken teeth are expensive to repair and may lead to tooth extraction if this habit persists, possibly dental implants.

Drinking too many Acidic Drinks

When you eat sugary foods or sip sugary drinks for long periods, plaque bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel, the hard surface of your tooth. In addition, most carbonated soft drinks, including diet soda, are acidic and harmful for your teeth causing sensitive teeth or toothache.

Too Much Coffee

The various acids in coffee can eat through and erode your tooth enamel, allowing food particles and bacteria to seep into the teeth. Bacteria can seep into the teeth and gum tissue and increase the risk of cavities, decay, and gum disease.

Drinking too many liquids high in acid, like coffee, can weaken your enamel. Your enamel protects your teeth, so if it is cut or wears away, your teeth become more vulnerable to decay.

Coffee also stains and darkens teeth over time, causing a severe dinge brown look to teeth. Coffee is also a contributor to bad breath and the need for teeth whitening.

Not Brushing/Flossing Your Teeth Daily

If you don’t brush your teeth, you get a plaque that breaks down your tooth enamel. Lack of brushing teeth will cause bad breath, cause significant problems, and require a root canal or crown.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, occurs when the bacteria in plaque cause swollen and bleeding gums.

Playing Sports without a Mouthguard

Mouthguards help cushion blows that might otherwise cause broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw. It’s believed that they also may reduce the severity and incidence of concussions. You don’t have to be on the football field or in a hockey rink to benefit from a properly fitted mouthguard.

Knowing how to prevent injuries to your mouth and face is especially important if you participate in organized sports or other recreational activities. See Dr. Kidman for more information on keeping kids’ teeth safe while playing sports.

These eight harmful habits listed are only a partial list of habits that can cause general health issues that can be costly in more ways than one. The bottom line is taking care of your teeth is one of the best things you can do to maintain good health. See a dentist for regular cleanings and inspections. A dentist can catch early warning signs of teeth and gum disease that could long-term affect your health.

For your cleaning and inspection, see Creekside Dental in Idaho Falls. Reach them at 208-523-5090. Visit them online at mycreeksidedental.com