National Children’s Dental Health Month

National Children’s Dental Health Month

According to the CDC, Tooth decay (cavity) is one of the most common chronic diseases of early childhood even though it is preventable.

Cavities occur when a buildup of dental plaque “eats” at tooth enamel causing a hole in the tooth to form. Plaque is a sticky substance that covers the teeth, and it is formed when bacteria in the moth combines with food and saliva.

Tips to decrease risk of cavities include:

·        Brushing twice a day for at least 2 minutes to prevent a buildup of plaque. Children under the age of 6 should be supervised by an adult to maximize efficiency.

·        Parents should refrain from putting infants approximately 6 months of age and older to bed with bottles filled with milk, formula or juice. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most children who are seven or eight months of age no longer need to feed during the night. If your child must have a bottle to sleep, slowly dilute the milk or juice with water over a few weeks until your child is only drinking water.

·        Parents should encourage a diet for their children that is low in sugar and refined carbohydrates and increase fresh veggies, fruit and protein intake.

·        Schedule regular Dental Checkups. Dental exams are scheduled every 6 months. At each visit, the dentist will look for any signs of regular tooth decay, remove dental plaque and apply fluoride which can reverse and stop early decay in children.

·        Having your dentist apply Dental Sealants. Dental Sealants are plastic coatings that are usually placed on the chewing (top) surface of the permanent back teeth to help protect them from decay.

Poor oral health, including cavities and infections, can have a lifelong impact on a child. If you have any questions or concerns about cavity prevention, please contact our Dental Providers at Open Health Care Clinic.

Tamma Gray, DDS

Floss the Teeth You Want to Keep!

Floss the Teeth You Want to Keep!

This has been my go-to sentence in communicating with my patients, young and older, for almost 20 years. That little harmless piece of string is not your enemy, yet many of my patients floss irregularly.  Some find it too cumbersome with statements that they are in a hurry, can’t wrap it around their fingers, or they just don’t like it.  

So why is flossing so important?  The simple answer is that flossing goes where the toothbrush can’t reach.

Flossing reduces the amount of plaque in between the teeth and around the gums. According to the American Dental Association, there are more than 500 bacterial species in plaque. In conjunction with water, food debris as well as other oral components the plaque buildup around the teeth can increase the progression of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is a severe form of gum disease that is the leading cause of tooth loss in Adults. Although, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that there is no significant evidence that flossing can prevent periodontitis, we do know that periodontitis is a bacterial infection that destroys attachment fibers and bone supporting the teeth leading to tooth mobility and in untreated instances tooth loss. 

The avoidance of flossing leads to a snowball of effects. First it starts with the accumulation of plaque which is a mostly sticky invisible film that forms on the teeth throughout the day. Daily brushing helps with the removal of plaque on the front and back surfaces of the teeth but does not remove the plaque that is stuck in between the teeth. The plaque then turns into tarter which is harder to remove and irritates the gumline.  The longer the plaque and tarter remain untreated it advances to gingivitis which then advances to periodontitis. 

“Doc, can I just use toothpicks?” is often asked by my patients.  Some would rather use toothpicks due to convenience and because it seems so much easier with removing anything stuck in between the teeth.  

Unfortunately, a toothpick can do further damage to the gums if not used carefully and will not clean in between teeth as well as dental floss. 

There is not much evidenced based research on the lack of flossing and periodontal disease. However, clinically, I can see a huge difference in my patients that floss and see me every 6 months compared to those who do not. 

Next time you decide to run out the door without flossing, I implore you to take 2 minutes out of your time to floss after your morning tooth brushing routine.  

Good oral hygiene practices of brushing and flossing keep your gums healthy and your dentist and hygienist happy.

Tamma Gray, DDS