What are Dental Sealants?

by torjl | Dec 24, 2015 | Dental Sealants

What are Dental Sealants?

Thanks to the different foods that we eat, our teeth are prone to many forms of tooth decay which destroys our teeth and in turn will require expensive procedures. Don’t you just wish there was a way to protect the crevices of our teeth and prevent the growth of bacteria and germs? Well, dental sealants do just that. Dental sealants are plastic coverings that go over the part of the tooth that’s exposed or used when chewing or biting food.

Dental sealants, available at Academy Dental, have the ability to protect your teeth from food, germs and bacteria from being stuck on the pits and slits on the biting surface of the teeth. If not dislodged through brushing and/or gargling, the germs can develop into tooth decay and destroy the tooth in time. Dental sealants are barely noticeable once added onto the teeth and is usually used for the teeth located in the back of the mouth like the molars.

Dental sealants are also applicable for children and adults. As long as the tooth is mature enough or is in the ideal condition for the sealant, this is a viable form of teeth protection. This is because dental sealants can last for up to 10 years before needing to be replaced. This is perfect for kids so that parents minimize the costs of dental procedures for the child’s milk teeth, and a good option for adults who do not like to worry about dental problems too much.

There are even dental organizations that recommend the application of dental sealants for adults because it is so effective in protecting the teeth. However, it is also good to point out that dental sealants are not a valid excuse to stop brushing teeth, flossing and rinsing. The sealants work hand in hand with regular dental hygiene regimens to maintain a person’s oral health.

To see if dental sealants will work for you, best to consult the dental professionals at Academy Dental so that you can get an expert opinion and recommendation for your dental health. Contact us today!

Braces for Children: What Are the Basics?

by torjl | Dec 10, 2015 | Braces

Braces for Children: What Are the Basics?

At what age should your child get braces? The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first visit with an orthodontist at age 7 as a good way of predicting whether or not braces will be required in the future. Although children are rarely fitted with braces until an average of about 10-14 years old, by age 7 their back teeth (molars) are established. From these molars, an orthodontist at Academy Dental in Victoria, BC can predict many potential bite problems. The types of braces for children that may eventually be recommended by an orthodontist will depend on the type of bite issue each individual child may have. Some children with bite problems may end up having only upper or lower braces, while others may require both.

Children’s metal braces are always bonded to clean, dry teeth. Bonding primer is placed on the teeth before the wire brackets are attached with composite cement. Next, the orthodontist will attach the teeth straightening wires by placing a section of wire into the slot on each bracket. A metal or elastic tie holds the wire in the slot in these traditional braces for children. Newer types of braces don’t require the ties. Invisalign, which is a type of clear plastic and nearly invisible braces, is a popular choice today — especially for teens and adults who don’t want the obvious look of metal wires on their teeth.

A good thing to keep in mind when children first get braces is that it may take kids time to get used to them. Keep on the look out for places where wires on braces for children may have come loose as sores may develop in the mouth due to wire irritating the inner cheeks. Often, simple solutions such as adding a pea-sized ball of wax or cotton over the protruding wire, can solve the problem. To learn more about children and braces or to book a first check up appointment for your 7-year-old, call the team at Academy Dental in Victoria, BC soon.

Children should have their first screening by an orthodontist at age 7. This is the best age to predict if future braces will be needed to correct any bite problems. FOR META DESCR.