Since its origin from Wuhan, China, Coronavirus has been spreading rapidly to and within other countries. Although there were only a handful of cases in the United States at first, that number has increased dramatically in the past few weeks. Consequently, the federal government is urging citizens to practice preventative measures to slow the spread of Coronavirus, also called COVID-19.

One of these preventative measures is aimed at reducing person to person spread of the virus through social distancing and home isolation practices. Although the federal government recommends avoiding groups larger than 10 people, many states and local governments have elected to temporarily shut down all non-essential services in order to encourage people to stay in their homes. 

In the midst of this COVID-19 crisis, the American Dental Association released a formal recommendation on April 1st, 2020 urging all dentists to temporarily close their practices, except in cases of dental emergencies. Consequently, dentists all over the country have cancelled elective and preventive dental treatments to minimize the chances of spreading the virus. To protect your oral health in the meantime, here are some general guidelines to follow: 

Brush and Floss

In times such as these, our daily routines are likely to be interrupted. Even so, it is important to maintain your daily dental routine to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Remember to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes using a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. You should also floss daily to clean the spaces between your teeth and along the gum line. Regular brushing and flossing help to decrease the amount of plaque and bacteria in your mouth, which will reduce your risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease. 

Watch Your Sugar

Sugar is another key cause of tooth decay, therefore it is important to pay attention to how much sugar you are consuming each day. This is not to say that you can’t ever eat anything sweet, but you should limit the amount of sugar intake to avoid increasing your risk of dental cavities. After consuming sugar, you should also rinse your mouth with milk or water to remove excess sugar from the surface of your teeth. 

Avoid Certain Foods

Certain foods that are hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky can cause your teeth to fracture or chip in some cases. To prevent a dental emergency, it is recommended to avoid these foods altogether. However, breaking them into smaller pieces and exercising caution while biting into them is a way to minimize the risk if you must eat them. 

Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

Your teeth are intended for chewing and biting. Using your teeth to hold objects, open packages and bottles, or to tear things other than food can be damaging and can cause your teeth to become chipped or cracked. In some cases, your teeth may even become loose or fall out. As a result, you should always avoid these behaviors. 

As the country continues to fight against COVID-19, we hope these guidelines will help you and your family fight against tooth decay and dental emergencies. However, in the case that you start to experience tooth pain or any kind of dental emergency, call our office immediately for further instruction. 

They’re just about everywhere we are. The grocery store. The movie theater. At parties. Our cars even have places specifically designed to hold them. They are soft drinks and a recent Gallup poll found that for 48% of Americans, they are a part of their everyday life. In fact, the poll also found that the average amount of soft drinks consumed daily was 2.6 glasses. 

Simply stated, we love our soft drinks. Too bad they don’t love us back. It is an unfortunate fact that soft drinks are detrimental to both our overall and oral health. They have been found to contribute to a variety of medical conditions, such as obesity and type-2 diabetes to name a couple. Not only that, but soft drinks are also extremely destructive to your teeth and put you at an increased risk for developing tooth decay. 

You can probably guess that the reason soft drinks are bad for you is because they contain sugar. In fact, this is one reason why soft drinks are bad for your teeth, but it isn’t the only reason. We’ll get to the second reason in a bit. Even if you realize that sugar is bad for your teeth, do you know why this is?

It is not necessarily sugar on its own that is bad for your teeth, but what the sugar does. Sugar serves as a food source for the thousands of decay-causing bacteria in your mouth. Although some of this bacteria is removed with regular brushing and flossing, they tend to accumulate in places you may miss. After the bacteria feasts upon the sugar, they excrete an acidic waste product directly on the surface of your teeth. The regular consumption of soft drinks means that bacteria are being provided with enough sugar to survive and multiply. 

The acids produced by bacteria are harmful to the enamel and will cause it to erode over time. This is ultimately how cavities form. However, acid does not only come from bacterial excretions. In fact, acid is the second reason why soft drinks are bad for your teeth. Most soft drinks, especially sodas, contain tartaric, phosphoric, or citric acids. This means that the soft drink itself will start to erode your enamel before the bacteria even starts. Even sugar-free soft drinks contain harmful acids and are still considered to be bad for your teeth. 

Since soft drinks are so detrimental to your oral and overall health, the best recommendation is simply to stop drinking them. However, this is not always a realistic goal for many people. Therefore, here are some things you can do to reduce the risks associated with soft drinks: 

Limit Yourself

The next best thing to eliminating soft drinks altogether is to at least reduce the amount of soft drinks you consume on a daily basis. Instead, try drinking more water or even milk. 

Be Quick

Your teeth are being attacked by acid and sugar from the first sip to about 20-30 minutes after you finish drinking. With that being said, drinking faster decreases the amount of time your teeth are actively being attacked by acid. Conversely, drinking slower can result in more damage. 

Use a Straw

A straw is a good way to manage the flow of your beverage in order to reduce the amount of contact that acids and sugars have with the surface of your teeth. 

Flush with Water

After you are done drinking your soft drink, flushing your mouth with water or milk can help minimize some of the damage by washing away some of the acids and sugars. 

See Your Dentist

Regular dental exams and cleanings are important for everyone, however they are even more important when you have an increased risk of developing tooth decay. Having your teeth cleaned regularly removes excess bacteria from your mouth to minimize the risk of tooth decay. 

Overall, soft drinks will continue to haunt us everywhere. Their availability combined with their acid and sugar content make them a threat to your oral health. Although certain things like limiting consumption, drinking quickly, using a straw, flushing with water, and regular dental visits can help decrease some of the damage soft drinks cause, they still put your oral health at risk. 

Most people know that tooth decay causes damage to the enamel known as dental cavities. However, did you know that your enamel can become damaged in other ways? One common way enamel becomes damaged is from excess acid that erodes the surface of the teeth. When this acid is caused by bacteria, it is known as tooth decay. However, when the acid is not the result of bacteria, it is simply known as dental erosion. 

Although bacteria is by far the most common cause of damaged enamel, dental erosion can occur as a result of: 

Diet

There are several different types of foods that can lead to dental erosion. Sugary and starchy foods can cause bacterial growth and additional acid production. Acidic fruits such as apples, citrus, berries, and rhubarb are also another common cause of enamel erosion. Fruit juices also contain excess acid that can result in erosion. Additionally, sodas contain citric and phosphoric acid that can also contribute to erosion. 

Digestive Acids

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common medical condition that causes excess stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. This can increase the acid content in the saliva and cause the teeth to be exposed to higher levels of acid. Additionally,  frequent vomiting can also cause acidic erosion of the enamel. 

Dry Mouth

Saliva is an essential element in decreasing the amount of acidity in the mouth. However, when not enough saliva is produced, this can cause an increase of acid. Therefore, people with dry mouth are more likely to have enamel erosion. In some cases, dry mouth can be a side effect of certain medications or medical conditions.

Teeth Grinding

Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding or clenching, damages the teeth by constantly exposing them to stress. Overtime, this causes the enamel to wear down and erode in certain locations. 

There are various signs of dental erosion, including: 

• Tooth sensitivity
• Discoloration
• Indentations on the surface of the teeth
• Cracks and chips 

However, early cases of dental erosion may not be noticeable to anyone but a general dentist. Before the enamel begins to erode entirely, it will need to demineralize. Enamel is composed of 96% minerals, specifically hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite is a combination of calcium and phosphate that are arranged as a crystalline shape. When large amounts of acid comes in contact with the teeth, it breaks the bonds and crystalline structure, inhibiting the tooth’s ability to protect itself. 

As you can see, dental erosion poses a similar threat to your teeth as tooth decay. It can be caused from diet, digestive acid, dry mouth, and bruxism, and can cause little to no symptoms depending on how far it has progressed. 

If you have had dentures for awhile, you may notice that they don’t fit as well as they did when you first got them. In fact, you may notice them slipping frequently when eating or speaking. This can be frustrating, especially if your dentures once worked really well.

Over time, your dentures will become loose as the underlying bone structure changes. Although dentures replace missing teeth, they do not provide the same stimulation to the jawbone. This ultimately means that the underlying bone will slowly deteriorate and change shape. When the bone changes shape, the dentures will no longer fit as well as they once did. 

Luckily, there is something you can do to fix loose dentures. A denture reline is a process used by dentists to alter the shape of dentures so that they fit the bone structure better. There are three different types of dental relines that may be recommended by your dentist: hard, soft, and temporary. 

Hard Reline

With a hard reline, plastic from the inside of your denture is removed and replaced with a soft putty. The denture is then placed in your mouth, where a dental impression is made using the soft putty. This putty will then harden into a rubber-like material and a dental lab will replace it with acrylic. This effectively changes the shape of your denture and makes it fit more securely. In most cases, a hard reline is recommended for full dentures every two years. 

Soft Reline

With a soft reline, a material softer than acrylic is used to reline the dentures. This material offers more flexibility than acrylic and can be a waxy or rubbery consistency. Soft relines are used for patients who have tender gums as a result of dentures. However, because soft relines use a softer material, they need to be performed every year or two. 

Temporary Reline

With a soft reline, the inside of the denture is lined with a special medicated material used to alleviate gum inflammation. This will be worn for a few weeks and then the patient will return for a hard reline. Temporary relines are generally used for patients who have not had their dentures relined in awhile. 

Is it time for a denture reline?

At this point, you may be wondering if it is time for you to have your dentures relined. While time is usually a good indicator of when to have your dentures relined, it is not the only indicator. Here are some other signs that you are due for a denture reline: 

• Gum irritation
• Ulcers
• Fungal infections
• Tissue overgrowth

When dentures are first applied, they can cause irritation until your gums have adapted to them. After that, they shouldn’t cause much discomfort. Therefore, if you notice your dentures are not as comfortable as they once were, or if you notice gum irritation, it is likely time to have your dentures checked by your dentist. 

Overall, a denture reline is an essential part of having dentures. As the underlying bone structure changes in shape, denture relines are essential to maintain your comfort and the denture’s function. When visiting your dentist, they may recommend one of the three types of denture relines in order to restore your comfort. After all, dentures are supposed to increase function, not impair it. 

If you have one or more missing teeth, chances are you are looking for an easy and effective way to restore your smile. One common tooth restoration method that you have heard of is a dental bridge. Like their name suggests, dental bridges are supported on either side and  “bridge” the gap left by one or more missing teeth. 

However, if you’ve never seen a dental bridge or are not familiar with dental bridges, you are probably wondering what a dental bridge looks like. Especially if you are considering having a dental bridge placed. Fact is, there are different types of dental bridges and although they all use a similar structure, they have slightly different appearances. Therefore, let’s take a look at the different types of dental bridges: 

Traditional Dental Bridge

Traditional dental bridges are the most commonly used and are generally the most well-known type of bridge. They are composed of one or more pontics (fake teeth) fused together and supported by a dental crown on either side. Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that fit over an existing tooth. Both the crowns and pontics will be customized in terms of color, shape, size, and texture to ensure that they blend in with the rest of your smile. Once in place, traditional dental bridges are indistinguishable from your natural teeth. 

Cantilever Dental Bridge

Cantilever dental bridges are slightly different from traditional dental bridges in that they are only supported on one side and resemble a diving board in the sense that only one side is supported while the other is suspended. They are not used as much as other types of dental bridges and are considered rare. However, they are sometimes used to replace a front missing tooth and have certain advantages that can make them an ideal choice. 

Maryland Bonded Dental Bridge

Maryland bonded dental bridges also use the same basic structure of a traditional dental bridge, however they are composed of different elements. Instead of using dental crowns on either side to support one or more pontics, Maryland bonded bridges use a metal framework. In most cases, this metal framework is bonded on the backside of teeth so that it is not immediately visible. However depending on the location of the bridge, it may sometimes be visible. 

Implant-Supported Dental Bridge

Implant-supported dental bridges are similar in structure to traditional dental bridges, however they are supported by implant-supported dental crowns instead of traditional crowns. While a traditional crown acts as a cap placed over a natural tooth, an implant-supported crown is one that is mounted to a dental implant. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots used to replace missing teeth. An implant-supported bridge will look similar to a traditional dental bridge, since dental implants are below the gum line. 

As you can see, dental bridges all use a similar structure, but have slightly different appearances. Although appearance and aesthetic goals are important factors in choosing a restorative treatment, there are other important factors you will need to discuss with your dentist before deciding which type of bridge would work best. Luckily, with so many different types, you are sure to find a bridge that works for you. 

Tooth decay is the biggest threat to your teeth. Once your teeth have become affected by tooth decay, they will continue to decay until they eventually fall out. That is, unless the decayed tooth is treated by a dentist. Dentists are like superheroes that are constantly fighting the evil villain of tooth decay. In order to protect you from tooth decay, there are various strategies your general dentist can employ to treat tooth decay, including: 

Teeth Cleanings

Simply stated, tooth decay is caused by the bacteria found in dental plaque and tartar. To combat this, your dentist will recommend two teeth cleanings per year. Professional teeth cleanings use specialized tools to remove both plaque and tartar from the outer surface of the tooth. This decreases the overall bacterial population in your mouth and decreases the risk of developing tooth decay. While this method is not airtight by any means, having teeth cleanings twice a year has been shown to decrease the risk of tooth decay significantly. 

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin coatings of composite resin that are painted over the molar grooves in order to seal the tooth and prevent bacteria from coming into contact with the enamel. They are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth in children and adults that struggle with maintaining a proper dental routine. 

Dental Fillings

In cases where minor decay has started to develop, a dental filling may be necessary. When placing a dental filling, your general dentist will first remove all the decayed tissue and clean the area to prevent future decay. Then they will fill the remaining cavity. There are different dental materials that can be used to fill a cavity, including amalgam (metal), gold, and composite resin. Nowadays, most dentists opt for composite fillings, but there may still be cases where a metal filling is preferred. 

Inlays/Onlays

Inlays and onlays are large fillings. Unlike composite fillings, which are a direct restoration completed entirely inside the mouth, Inlays and Onlays are indirect restorations and are fabricated in a dental lab. Inlays are used to  restore a decayed area on the top surface of the teeth and onlays are found on the top of the tooth, but include one or more of the tooth’s cusps, or points. 

Root Canal

For cases where tooth decay is significant and covers more than ¾ of the tooth, your dentist will often recommend a root canal. During a root canal, your dental pulp is completely removed to alleviate the current infection and prevent any future pulp infections

As you can see, there are a variety of ways your general dentist can go about treating your dental decay. The severity of your case will depend on the extent of the decay. The right method for you will be determined by the location, extent of decay, and your budget. Therefore, you should discuss your options with your local general dentist. 

Almost everyone has been told at some point or another that it is important to visit your local dental office for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning. If you are one that regularly schedules your dental appointments, then this article probably won’t help you much. However, if you are someone who is unsure when the last time you sat in a dental chair was, then you may want to keep reading. 

Think hard about the last time you were at the dentist’s office. How long ago was that? If it was over six months ago, then it’s time to schedule another appointment. This is because the American Dental Association recommends visiting your local dentist every six months, or twice a year, for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning. 

But, why do they advise you visit the dentist that often, especially if you brush and floss everyday? Well for starters, it’s because not everyone brushes and/or flosses daily. In fact a study quoted in US News found that only about 30% of Americans floss everyday. While brushing removes plaque from about 60% of the tooth’s surface, flossing is responsible for removing the other 40%. Therefore, when people skip flossing, they are leaving plaque and bacteria in their mouths that can eventually lead to tooth decay and gum disease. 

Even individuals who do brush and floss daily can miss hard to reach spots resulting in an accumulation of excess plaque in these areas. If plaque is left in place long enough, then it will eventually harden into tartar, which is also known as calculus. Unfortunately, tartar cannot be removed with brushing or flossing, and can only be removed using special tools. This is why professional teeth cleanings are needed. 

A professional cleaning conducted by your dentist’s oral hygienist removes both plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth. In some cases, plaque accumulations below the gum line may also be removed to reduce or prevent gum inflammation. During a dental cleaning, a dental scaler is used to scrape off the plaque and tartar. In some cases, a water stream can also be used to loosen and remove plaque and tartar. 

Once all the large pieces of debris have been removed, the teeth are brushed with a gritty toothpaste to eliminate any remaining residue. After being rinsed, a fluoride polish is then applied to prevent future plaque accumulation and strengthen the enamel. Removing excess plaque and tartar removes excess bacteria, while fluoride makes the tooth more resistant against bacteria. These two benefits are why you need to visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning. 

Without regular dental cleanings, plaque will continue to accumulate until it eventually hardens into tartar. Even if you brush and floss regularly, you could still be missing places. Furthermore, the longer plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more bacteria reside there, and the more damage is done to your teeth. Teeth that have not been regularly cleaned are more susceptible to developing tooth decay or pulp infections that require root canals. 

Additionally, excess plaque tends to build up around the base of the tooth just under the gum line. This region is called the gum pocket, and it can collect bacteria from all over the mouth. This bacteria will cause the gums to become red, inflamed, and sore. They may even start to bleed frequently or even start to recede, which can cause tooth loss. 

Visiting your local dental office every six months for a dental cleaning  can help decrease your chances of developing these aforementioned conditions. Not only that, but you can maintain your oral health, which will save you thousands of dollars in the future. So, how long has it been since your last appointment? It may be time to call your local dental office and schedule another appointment for a dental cleaning. 

For more information about dental cleanings, see “4 Types of Dental Cleanings”.

Do you have severely damaged or decayed teeth that are no longer functional? Are there gaps in your smile left behind by missing teeth? Have you been considering restorative or cosmetic dentistry to restore the look and function of your smile? If this sounds like you, then dental implants may be an ideal treatment option. 

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made from titanium screws, a connector, and a dental prosthesis. They are implanted into the jawbone, which makes them extremely strong, as well as aesthetic. If you are looking for a way to makeover your smile, then here are seven reasons to get dental implants: 

Can Be Placed Anywhere in the Mouth

Dental implants can be placed anywhere in the mouth because they come in three different sizes. The vast majority of dental implants placed use a standard sized implant. However, wide dental implants may be used when placing an implant to support a molar. Wide dental implants have a larger circumference than the standard size and therefore provide additional strength needed to support a molar. When placing an implant in a tight space or in an area where the bone mass has decreased, a mini dental implant may be used. Mini dental implants are smaller in circumference than the standard size implant, so they can fit into smaller spaces. Due to their smaller size, however, mini dental implants lack the strength of a standard size implant and are generally only used towards the front of the mouth.

Placed in 1-2 Appointments

Same day implants or immediate load implants refer to placing dental implant screws and their dental prosthesis all in the same appointment. Many dentists use this approach to quickly and efficiently place dental implants without requiring multiple visits. However, there are certain cases where a second appointment may be needed to place a permanent restoration. Nevertheless, it only takes two appointments to have an amazing smile. 

Fuse with Jawbone

Once dental implants have been placed in the jawbone, it takes about 3-6 months for them to heal by fusing with the surrounding jawbone. No other restoration method is able to fuse with the jawbone and this is one of the main things that sets dental implants apart from other dental restorations. 

Restore Natural Function & Appearance

Part of dental implants acting as artificial tooth roots for a dental prosthesis means that they are able to function almost as well as natural teeth. This means that things like eating and speaking will be much easier. Once healed, dental implants can be used to eat a variety of foods and rarely require dietary restrictions. 

Highly Durable

A perk of fusing with the surrounding jaw bone is that it makes the implant-supported prosthesis strong and highly durable. This is because the prosthesis is supported by a strong foundation that replicates a natural tooth, so the body works with it instead of against it. 

Long-Lasting

Residing in the jawbone also allows dental implants to last longer than other restoration methods. While dental implants may still require maintenance or replacement at some point during their lifespan, they have a longer lifespan. On average, the lifespan of a dental implant is about 10-15 years. In some cases, however, dental implants have been found to last for 20 years. 

Overall, dental implants are an ideal restorative dental treatment due to their versatile and quick placement, as well as their ability to fuse with the jawbone to provide natural function and appearance, durability, and longevity. If you are looking for a great choice for your smile makeover, dental implants may just be the perfect treatment for you! For more information, see “Dental Implant Restoration”.

A dental cleaning is an important preventative dental treatment used by general dentists to maintain your oral health and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. The American Dental Association notes that dental cleanings should be performed every six months by a general dentist, however some individuals may require more frequent teeth cleanings. Additionally, there are different types of dental cleanings offered by your dentist’s office. 

In fact, there are four types of dental cleanings that your local general dentist may perform. To determine which type of teeth cleaning is best for you, an oral exam will be performed to evaluate your teeth and gums. Based on the findings of this exam, your dentist will recommend one of the following dental cleanings: 

Prophylaxis: 

A prophylaxis cleaning removes plaque and tartar as a preventative measure. They are performed on mostly healthy teeth in order to simply maintain their dental health. In fact, the word prophylaxis means “to prevent disease”. Prophylaxis cleanings prevent the two most common dental diseases: tooth decay and gum disease. If you brush twice a day, floss daily, and schedule regular appointments with your local dental office every six months, chances are you will only need a prophylaxis cleaning. 

Scaling and Root Planing: 

A scaling and root planing cleaning takes things one step further than a prophylaxis cleaning and is sometimes referred to as a deep cleaning. Scaling and root planing cleanings are performed when there are signs of gum disease. The first step is similar to a prophylaxis cleaning where plaque and tartar are removed from the surface of the teeth. However with a deep cleaning, the gum pockets below the gum line are also cleaned. Together, this is known as scaling. The second step is known as planing and consists of the root surface being smoothed to promote reattachment of the gum tissue. Depending on the severity of gum disease, multiple dental visits and local anesthetics may be required. 

Periodontal Maintenance: 

A periodontal maintenance cleaning is similar to a scaling and root planing cleaning, however they are usually performed more often. Periodontal maintenance cleanings are also used to treat gum disease, but they are used to treat the more advanced form called periodontitis. The frequency of these cleanings depends on how severe the case of periodontitis is. Since this form of gum disease is not reversible, periodontal maintenance cleanings are the only way to prevent the disease from getting worse and causing tooth loss. 

Gross Debridement: 

A gross debridement cleaning is a heavy duty teeth cleaning that is used when there is a large amount of plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth. In these cases, a prophylaxis cleaning would not be sufficient. With a gross debridement cleaning, a scaler tooth is used to gently scrape off the plaque and then an electric tool is used to loosen and remove the hardened tartar. This is often followed by the usual prophylaxis cleaning. 

As you can see, your general dentist can offer a variety of dental cleanings based on your individual dental needs. For most dental patients, prophylaxis cleanings every six months are sufficient. For those with gum disease, scaling and root planing, as well as periodontal maintenance cleanings performed more frequently may be the better choice. Finally, for those with a large amount of buildup, a gross debridement cleaning will likely be recommended. 

Did you know that the best general dentists are devoted to the preservation of their patient’s oral health? In fact, the majority of dentistry revolves around the prevention of dental issues. The two main dental issues that dentists try to prevent are gum disease and tooth decay. 

Most people know of tooth decay as dental cavities. A dental cavity occurs when bacteria in the mouth begin to excrete acidic waste products that damage the tooth’s enamel. As time goes on, this acid slowly begins to wear down the enamel, causing cavities to form. 

While daily dental hygiene, such as brushing and flossing, is extremely important, there are some other preventative strategies that only your dentist can do. This is one reason why it is so important to schedule regular dental appointments. According to the ADA, these appointments should take place at least once every six months. 

Let’s take a look at three of the main ways your dentists prevents tooth decay: 

Professional Teeth Cleaning: 

While daily brushing and flossing helps to control bacteria populations in your mouth, there are still places that you often miss in your daily routine. This is where your dentist comes in. By professionally cleaning your teeth, your dentist will remove plaque and tartar from the hard to reach areas where you may have missed. It is important to note that tartar is hardened plaque and can only be removed with a dental tool called a scaler. This scaler is used to scrape both the plaque and tartar off your teeth. Then your teeth are flossed, brushed, and rinsed. 

Professional teeth cleanings are important for two main reasons. First, they decrease the amount of bacteria in your mouth since bacteria are found within plaque. Second, by removing the plaque, they also remove the habitat that promotes future bacterial growth. Having less bacteria and minimizing their preferred environment decreases your risk of developing tooth decay. 

Dental Sealants: 

Dental sealants are a thin layer of composite that is applied to the chewing surface of the molars. Because the molars are highly texturized, they are a common site for tooth decay to occur. Using a sealant creates a barrier between the bacteria and the tooth, which prevents the bacteria from being able to damage the tooth. While dental sealants may not be used on every patient, they are especially helpful for children or for those who have trouble brushing towards the back of their mouth. 

Fluoride Treatments: 

Fluoride has been found to strengthen tooth enamel. Stronger tooth enamel lasts longer when exposed to bacteria, decreasing the risk of tooth decay. Because fluoride is so good for your teeth, it is found in dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. Some communities even have fluoride added to their drinking water in an effort to prevent tooth decay. 

As you can see, your dentist can provide you with three effective preventative treatments that you cannot get at home. While you may get fluoride through drinking water and dental products, having it directly applied to your teeth provides a stronger concentration. And, unfortunately, no matter how much you brush, it will never compare to a professional teeth cleaning. Luckily, as little as one trip to your general dentist every six months will help to take care of your teeth and prevent tooth decay.