Sealants

Almost half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth.  Regular oral hygiene is important for children to establish, but a sealant is the best defense against early tooth decay.  At Advantage Dentistry, we apply dental sealants to our adolescent patients to preserve their teeth and set them up for a lifetime of great oral health!

Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14.  These teeth have pits and grooves on the chewing surface that trap food and bacteria.  The best time to have a sealant placed is when the molars first come in to make sure they are protected early.  Sealants are a quick and painless step to take to protect your oral health.  When the plastic resin is applied, it fills any pits and grooves on the surface and then hardens. Now the surface is protected from bits of food being stuck, so bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay, and tooth enamel is protected from plaque and acids.  Sealants can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years and can be reapplied if necessary.

To learn more about dental sealants and all the services we provide, visit www.advantagedentistry.com for more information.  To schedule your appointment with Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call our office at 716-877-2275.

Treating Bad Breath in Children

A pleasing smile requires a nice smell as well as a nice appearance, and at Advantage Dentistry, we help our patients to maintain both. Children have some particular challenges with bad breath (also known as halitosis) which may require a different approach than we take with adults.

Bad breath is generally caused by bacterial growth. There are several situations in which this is more likely to happen, including the patient suffering from dry mouth and nasal drip. Dry mouth is a problem for children who mouth-breathe, as well as those who are on medications for ADHD or anxiety or simply don’t remember to drink enough water during play. While a specialist may be necessary to help with breathing problems, we can recommend ways of increasing saliva flow, including sugar-free candy.

Nasal drip is a common result of sinus infections, but it can also be caused by a foreign object stuck in the nasal passages. The creviced tissues of the tonsils are an ideal spot for bacteria to grow in and most children haven’t had them removed yet. These patients may benefit from the use of non-alcoholic mouthwash. The tongue is another environment which is ideal for bacteria, so bad breath could be due to as simple a problem as the child not knowing the importance of tongue-brushing.

Scott Seier, DDS, operates Advantage Dentistry at 2887, Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY, 14217. To set up an appointment, call 716-877-2275, or visit AdvantageDentistry.com and fill out a contact form.