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FLUORIDE
Fluoride is one of the least expensive means to protect your teeth
against cavities. It is also one of the simplest. A major source
of fluoride is in most drinking water. Find out if your water supply
is fluoridated. If not, ask your dentist about alternate means to
provide your children with fluoride.
There are a variety of toothpastes and mouthwashes that provide
fluoride, as well.
SEALANTS
A bright, healthy smile can help you feel and look good throughout
your life. The first step in maintaining a healthy mouth is preventing
tooth decay, and sealants can offer major protection against cavities.
Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque
from smooth surfaces of teeth. Pits and fissures, however, are hard
to clean. Toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into depressions
and grooves to extract food and plague. Saliva, which helps to clean
away food particles, can't clean these areas, either. This makes
these areas prone to decay.
Most cavities form in these fissure areas, especially in permanent
molars. Sealants offer protection by creating a covering over the
teeth to prevent plaque and food from adhering to the area. This
prevents decay.
Sealants typically last several years before they need to be reapplied.
Children and teens are obvious candidates for this procedure, but
adults benefit greatly, as well.
The procedure is simple and takes a few minutes. The tooth is cleaned
and conditioned to help the sealant adhere. The sealant is then
painted onto the tooth where it hardens. Sometimes a special curing
light is used to help the sealant harden.
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