Category: Sealants and Fluoride

Good oral hygiene habits combined with professional care can help protect your teeth from decay. Dental sealants are part of professional dental care. They are protective barriers placed over your teeth to safeguard them from bacteria that can cause decay, helping pave the way to healthier teeth. Dr. Kosta Adams can easily complete this dental treatment during a routine visit to Adams Dental Associates in Sacramento, California.

 

How dental sealants work to prevent tooth decay

 

Grooves and indentations are present on the surface of your teeth, where bits of food can collect and bacteria can breed. Over time, these bacteria will eat away at the enamel of your teeth and cause cavities. Molars, in particular, are more prone to decay due to being harder to clean. Dental sealants are placed over these grooves to keep food particles out, reducing your risk of developing cavities and protecting your teeth from decay.

 

Who can benefit from dental sealants?

 

Although anyone can benefit from protective sealants, they can be particularly effective for children and teens due to their dietary and dental hygiene habits. This age group tends to consume food and drinks with high sugar content, making them more prone to tooth decay. Children are also just beginning to form good oral hygiene habits by regularly brushing their teeth. Sealants can help keep your children’s teeth healthy in their formative years to avoid serious dental problems later down the line.

Dental sealants can also be beneficial for adults prone to tooth decay or gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. These protective coatings have attributes that everyone can benefit from, including:

 

• Affordable cost
• Simple application and care
• Natural-looking
• Effective in protecting teeth from decay
• Durable for long-lasting use

 

Dental sealants near me in and around Sacramento, CA

 

If this dental treatment appeals to you, contact Dr. Kosta Adams at (916) 999-1302 to schedule a consultation for this procedure. Adams Dental Associates is your one-stop location for dental sealants in Sacramento, CA. We look forward to meeting all your dental care needs.

 

When patients in the Sacramento area are interested in learning about advanced dental treatments and technologies, they often turn to the team of Drs. Kosta J. Adams and Kristen J. Adams. Together, this team can provide patients with the best comprehensive dentistry services in the area and allow them to enjoy the benefits of quality care. Our team is committed to helping patients not only rejuvenate their smile, but reach great oral health. In order to do so, some patients may find dental sealants to be advantageous.

Dental sealants are commonly used for children, but can also be used for adults who are at a higher risk of developing dental caries. These are applied to the surfaces of the teeth to offer extra protection against decay. They can be wonderful for areas of the teeth such as deep grooves and crevices which may be difficult to thoroughly brush. Drs. Kosta J. Adams and Kristen J. Adams can work with patients to determine if dental sealants are appropriate for them. This is done during an initial examination and with a dental health history. Patients may also undergo a series of x-rays to make sure they do not have any active areas of decay which may inhibit their effectiveness.

Sealants are easily applied in one visit. The teeth are cleaned, and then once dried, a solution is applied onto the surface to roughen it. This helps the sealant adhere to the tooth. Then the tooth is rinsed and dried before the sealant is applied. The sealant is a liquid that hardens in just a few seconds.

At the same appointment, patients can also speak to our dental team about restorative and cosmetic dentistry services. We want to help our patients achieve beautiful smiles that are reasonably priced and attainable for the average family, while still using the best, most high-quality materials available in dentistry. If you live in the area of Sacramento and want to schedule an appointment with our team, feel free to contact Drs. Kosta J. Adams and Kristen J. Adams today. We work with new and existing families to assist in achieving wonderful oral health habits

Fluoride is an important element to keeping the smile healthy. A healthy smile is one that is free from cavities and periodontal disease. It is vibrant and builds confidence. A smile is seen regularly by the dentist to ensure optimum health. Drs. Kosta J. Adams and Kristen J. Adams of Sacramento offer fluoride treatments for patients who are serious about their dental health and wellness.

 

Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally occurring in many foods. Minerals are lost and restored over the course of time to the enamel of the tooth through demineralization and remineralization. This process can be maintained to a proper level with fluoride applications from a dentist.

 

Dentists may suggest fluoride applications for patients who are at a higher risk of developing cavities and periodontal disease. It is mostly used on children and teenagers between the ages of 6 and 16. However, patients of all ages can benefit from fluoride treatments or the addition of fluoride through alternative means such as mouth rinses and toothpaste available over-the-counter.

 

 

Fluoride can be applied by a dentist in a variety of ways including gels, varnish, or foams. These have a higher level of fluoride than alternative applications including fluoride added to toothpaste and mouthwashes. They are applied directly to the teeth to offer an extra layer of protection. Some patients may even be advised to consider fluoride supplements that can be taken orally as a prescription medication. This can be determined during a visit with Drs. Kosta J. Adams and Kristen J. Adams to find out what fluoride delivery method is most appropriate based on patient needs.

 

If you live in or around the Sacramento area, Drs. Kosta J. Adams and Kristen J. Adams encourage you to take the time to learn about the advantages of applying fluoride through extra methods outside of toothpaste and mouthwashes. We recommend patients take the time to book an appointment at our practice and ask about the benefits of fluoride treatments through a dedicated dental professional to protect against periodontal diseases and cavities.

As a parent, the health and wellness of your child is extremely important. In addition to taking them to yearly wellness checks with their doctor, it’s important to maintain bi-annual visits to the dentist to maintain their oral health. During early dental visits, we are able to assess the health of the child’s teeth and gums, note areas that could use improvement, and get children comfortable in the dentist’s office.

 

But even with bi-annual visits to the dentist and proper oral hygiene at home, there is still a chance of tooth decay. This is where the importance of dental sealants and fluoride treatments comes in.

 

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are an easy and affordable way to prevent cavities. While sealants have been around for a long time, they are increasing in popularity for children who are prone to dental decay. The plastic material is placed in the pits and chewing surfaces of the teeth, typically on the back molars where brushing and flossing is more difficult.
They are an excellent option because children have difficulty thoroughly brushing the problem areas in the back of the mouth. Sealants “seal” away from the plaque and reduce the risk of cavities for your child.

 

 

Fluoride treatments

Fluoride treatments are another great option for preventing decay in children. Together with sealants, they can prevent tooth decay on treated teeth.
Fluoride works through a process called remineralization. Saliva containing fluoride and other minerals helps deposit them back on the enamel. Without this process, too much loss of minerals can lead to tooth decay.

 

 

Fluoride toothpaste and fluoridated water are two of the best sources of fluoride for your child. If you do not have access to fluoridated water, or if your child’s teeth need more to adequately prevent cavities, we may prescribe supplemental fluoride treatments.

 

 

If you are in the Sacramento area and would like to find out if dental sealants and fluoride treatments would help you, child, call us today.

MAGD Dr. Kosta J. Adams and Dr. Kristen J. Adams can help prevent decay with pit and fissure sealant in Sacramento and the surrounding area.

 

What are pits and fissures?

Pitted, fissured areas are on the back teeth, your premolars, and molars. Pits are hollows on the chewing surface, while fissures are deep grooves. These features can threaten the integrity of your teeth.

 

Food gets caught in these pits and fissures. Since these areas are in those hard-to-reach spaces, it can be difficult to properly remove food debris with brushing and flossing alone. In turn, pits and fissures create the perfect environment for decay-producing bacteria.

 

While the premolars between your front teeth and molars can promote decay, molars are more susceptible to deep cavities.

 

How can sealants prevent decay?

Sealants are an unobtrusive plastic coating that is applied to the back teeth, effectively sealing the molars and premolars, and preventing bacterial plaque film and food from getting inside of the grooved, hollowed surfaces.
Sealants are usually recommended for children aged 6 to 12. The American Dental Association reports sealants to reduce the risk of tooth decay by almost 80 percent. By sealing areas susceptible to damage as soon as the teeth have come in, the dentists can help to maintain the lifelong health of your child’s teeth. Some adult patients may also benefit from this preventive approach.

 

Sealants can only protect the teeth if they are properly maintained. It’s important to keep regularly scheduled check-ups and cleanings so the dental team can identify problems with your sealants and repair them as needed. Your teeth must also be sealed properly to prevent bacteria from being “sealed in” during the process and to ensure the sealants don’t peel off. Trust this important preventive procedure to an experienced dentist. Call (916) 999-1302 to schedule an appointment.

As a health-conscious dental consumer, and especially as a parent, it is natural to ask about the risks of any treatment you consider. Since their introduction in 1970, dental sealants have prevented countless cavities. Are the materials and techniques safe? The answer is a resounding YES! Dr. Kosta Adams and Dr. Kristen Adams recommend dental sealants for their patients in the Sacramento, CA area.

 

What are dental sealants?

Resins are synthetic or plant-based plastics that do not dissolve in water. Resin-based dental sealant is a thin, clear formulation brushed onto the flat chewing surfaces of molars. It flows into microscopic pits and grooves in dental enamel, sealing out saliva, harmful oral bacteria, and bits of food debris.

 

What about BPA?

Bisphenol-A is a valid concern. Do dental sealants contain BPA? Technically yes, but the amount is minute – just 0.09 nanogram or 0.001 percent of the average person’s daily exposure. For comparison, the air you breathe comes in at 8 ng (0.13 percent), and 96 percent comes from the 5800 ng in foods and beverages. The EPA recommends no more than one million ng per day.

The oral health (and by extension overall wellness) benefits of dental sealants far outweigh this virtually non-existent BPA risk.

How patients in Sacramento, CA benefit from dental sealants treatment

With a four-pronged strategy of regular checkups, fluoride application, dental sealants, and good home hygiene, your child may never have a cavity. Sealants are a sensible, cost-effective choice for cavity-prone adults, too – smokers, those who like sweet snacks and soda, or have a hereditary tendency to develop decay.

 

Here are some of the reasons patients of Adams Dental Associates choose sealants:

 

• Fast – Application takes only a few minutes after your regular cleaning and exam.
• Painless – A “zero ouch” procedure.
• Long-lasting – Depending on your eating and hygiene habits, the sealant may last ten years!
• Effective – CDC research indicates that this treatment prevents 80 percent of cavities in the first two years after application, and about 50 percent benefit for up to four years.

 

Today, anyone can have a beautiful smile. Drs. Kosta and Kristen Adams are eager to help you find yours. Call (916) 999-1302 for an appointment.