When I was a kid, I loved rock candy, which is pure sugar. Sugary candy that you keep in your mouth for a long time and sugary soda that takes a while to drink are just about the worst things you can do to your teeth. Combine them with less than fanatical toothbrushing habits, and it's no surprise that by the time I was 20, I had a mouthful of silver fillings. So did most of my friends.
My daughter may very well turn 20 without a single major cavity. Part of the reason is that we don't keep candy in the house. Part of the credit goes to the sealants I put on her teeth when she was 9 years old. Sealants have been around for about 30 years and have made a tremendous difference in how many cavities kids get. They're a sort of plastic coating over the molars that takes minutes to apply, and lasts for years. The cost is roughly equal to half the cost of filling one major cavity. Best of all, getting sealants put on is a pain-free process that can save a lot of pain down the road.
Of course you should teach your child to brush and floss, but why not give them a little help while they learn to do it efficiently? I have office hours that will allow you to bring your child in without disrupting his or her school or after-school activities, or your work schedule. (Click here for hours and location.)
If you have general questions about dentistry that you'd like to see addressed on this blog, feel free to email me at sdurante@earthlink.net . The information on this blog is presented for general education only: consult a dentist for advice on specific problems, diagnoses and treatment.
No comments:
Post a Comment