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Regular Checkups
First Time Visits
Sealants
Regular Checkups
We encourage regular checkups for individuals from age four and
up. Most people find that it is valuable to have a checkup at
least every six months.
Regular checkups include a thorough cleaning and an oral exam by
the dentist. During the oral exam the dentist checks the health
of your mouth – teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. At each visit
the dentist also checks old fillings and restorations because
constant pressure from chewing, grinding or clenching can cause
them to wear away, chip or crack.
First Time Visits
First time visits typically include an x-ray that allows the
dentist to view the structure of the jaw, the position of any
teeth that have not yet erupted, malformed roots and tooth
decay.
First time visits also involve getting your medical history.
When you share your medical history with the dentist, be sure to
provide complete, up-to-date information on your health. Inform
your dentist if you have experienced recent hospitalization or
surgery, or if you have recently been ill. Also tell the dentist
the names, doses and frequency of any medications you are
taking—whether prescription or over-the-counter products—and the
name of your physician. Inform the dentist of any changes in
your health or medications. This information will help the
dentist to select the most safe and effective method of
treatment for you.
Sealants
A sealant is a resin-bonded plastic material that is usually
applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth—premolars and
molars. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and
grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of back
teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from
plaque and acids. Sealants are most effective on primary teeth
because these teeth will be replaced by age 11.
Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and
plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. But toothbrush bristles
cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to
extract food and plaque, so sealants are used to protect these
vulnerable areas by "sealing out" plaque and food.
Sealants work well for all ages. Because the likelihood of
developing pit and fissure decay begins early in life, children
and teenagers are obvious candidates. But adults can benefit
from sealants as well.
Sealants are easy for your dentist to apply. It takes only a few
minutes to seal each tooth. First, the tooth is cleaned. Next
the chewing surfaces are roughened with an acid solution to help
the sealant adhere to the tooth. Then the sealant is 'painted'
onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and
hardens. Sometimes a special curing light is used to help the
sealant harden.
As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be
protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of
normal chewing and usually last several years before a
reapplication is needed. During your regular dental visits, your
dentist will check the condition of the sealants and reapply
them when necessary.
Ask your dentist about whether sealants can put extra power
behind your prevention program.
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