According to research, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in America, affecting 50 percent of first graders and 80 percent of 17 year olds. Studies show that prevention through good dental hygiene and early oral care can help prevent dental problems that ultimately affect your child’s health, well being, self-image and overall personal achievement.
The National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research estimates that U.S. children miss 52 million hours of school and experience about 12.5 million days of restricted activity annually due to oral health problems. Because there is such a significant impact on student academic performance, the Surgeon General has made children’s oral health a priority.
Read more about our recommendations for maintaining your family's oral health and prevention of dental disease:
Recommendations for Your Child's Home Care
It is important to introduce proper oral care early in childhood, beginning in infancy. The American Dental Hygiene Association offers guidelines for a good oral hygiene routine for children:
Thoroughly clean your infant’s gums after each feeding with a damp soft washcloth to stimulate gum tissue and remove food residue.
Have a discussion with your dentist or pediatrician about prevention of baby bottle tooth decay, which occurs when teeth are frequently exposed to liquids containing sugar (including fruit juice).
Brush your baby’s erupted teeth gently with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush moistened with water. After two years of age, you may use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
Teach your child at age two or three about proper brushing techniques and introduce gentle flossing at seven or eight years old.
Keep regular visits with your dentist to check for cavities in primary teeth and screen for possible developmental problems.
Encourage your child to discuss any fears they may have about oral health visits. Avoid mentioning words like “hurt" or "pain”; this can instill fear associated with dentistry.
Ask your water company if the water supply that serves your home is fluoridated; if not, discuss supplement options with your dentist or hygienist.
Ask your hygienist or dentist about sealants to protect the chewing surfaces of your child's teeth.
Teen and Adult Home Care
Proper home care plays a significant role in preserving permanent teeth and protecting them from decay and destructive periodontal (gum) disease. Protect Your Investment in Your Oral Health. Daily brushing and flossing can help avoid costly dental procedures. Download and Print our Home Care Instructions(.pdf).
Dental Cleanings
Regular dental cleanings every three to six months allow our doctors and hygienists to promote healthy gums and teeth by removing the plaque that causes decay and gum infection from areas that are difficult to reach with home care alone. At each visit, we will use visual aids and patient education videos to help you stay informed about your own oral health.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a substance that helps tooth enamel become stronger and more resistant to decay. Our Hygienists will apply fluoride to your child's teeth during their cleaning visit, making it more difficult for cavities to begin.
Regularly drinking water treated with fluoride and diligent brushing and flossing has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay. We may recommend fluoride supplements (usually in tablets or drops) if necessary.
Fluoride is also helpful for adults to reduce the pain and discomfort caused by exposed root surfaces (receding gums). Regular fluoride treatments may reduce sensitivity
Oral Examination
During your initial consultation and at each routine cleaning visit, Drs. Bragg and Moody will perform a complete dental examination. Accompanied by digital xrays and electronic cavity detection, our doctors will evaluate each tooth for signs of decay or bite trauma, as well as conduct a periodontal examination to assess your gums for infection or bone loss. If additional treatment is required, we will determine the most conservative approach and offer our recommendations to care for your smile.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria that naturally occur on the teeth and food sugars combine to produce acids that break down the minerals in tooth enamel, forming a cavity. Tooth decay is a progressive disease and can cause tooth nerve damage, infection or pain if left untreated.
To treat decay, our doctors remove the damaged tooth structure and fill the tooth using a variety of fillings to restore the tooth to normal function. If the damage is extensive, the tooth may require a crown (or "cap") to fully cover the tooth and make it strong again.
A strong dental hygiene regimen of daily brushing and flossing, regular checkups, fluoride treatments and diet control can help avoid tooth decay and costly treatment.
Protect Your Smile! Contact Us with your questions about preventing tooth decay.
Sealants
The grooves and depressions in the chewing surfaces of back teeth are extremely difficult (if not impossible) to clean. Acids formed by bacteria and food sugars organize in these areas and break down tooth enamel, causing tooth decay. Studies indicate that 88 percent of tooth decay in American school children begins in this manner.
Tooth sealants protect these susceptible areas by covering the tooth surface with a durable resin material, preventing bacteria and food particles getting trapped and making the area easier to keep clean. Sealants can last for several years, but can become dislodged by sticky foods, so they should be checked during regular appointments.
Sealants should be applied as a child's permanent teeth erupt. Adult molars and premolars can also be sealed, provided the tooth does not show evidence of decay.
Oral Cancer Screening
If you are a tobacco or smokeless tobacco user, you are in primary danger of oral cancer. We are committed to the prevention of oral cancer through early identification of pre-cancerous conditions, and provide oral cancer screenings at each preventive care appointment. We also use an electronic screening system that combines a special gel and light detection to help us take a closer look at suspicious sores or lesions on the tongue or soft tissue that may contain cancerous cells.
Dr. Jennifer Sherwood Bragg and Dr. Kära Keel Moody are general dentists practicing in Cumming, GA and serving Forsyth county and surrounding
North Georgia communities. Their services include porcelain crowns, veneers, dental implants and a complete range of preventive and restorative dental treatments.
Recommendations for Your Child's Home Care
Oral Examination