You have probably heard of the term dental sealant and been unsure what the procedure is meant to accomplish. Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings placed over the chewing surfaces of teeth to help protect them from developing dental decay. They cover the “pits and grooves” of teeth, the little crevices where food and plaque tend to accumulate.
The sealants are applied by the dentist or dental hygienist on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. It will go on as a liquid so it is able to flow in to the little grooves and pits and then it quickly hardens when a curing light is applied to provide a protective covering over the surface of the tooth. It is a very minimally invasive procedure with little to no discomfort and may protect the tooth for many years to come. Seeing your dentist on a regular basis is the best way to help ensure everything remains in good condition. If you have any questions about dental sealants, don’t hesitate to ask your local Boise dentists at your next appointment with Summit Dental Boise.
We wanted to congratulate the University of Idaho and Boise State Football teams on great seasons and on their big bowl game wins. Football in the state of Idaho is alive and well! Hopefully we can carry that momentum into the next season and who knows, maybe a national championship….
The article written in October 2009 concluded that using a desensitizing gel before in office bleaching with a strong bleaching agent did reduce patient tooth sensitivity while not reducing the effect of the whitening procedure. Tooth sensitivity is the most common side effect associated with teeth whitening/ in-office bleaching. This is good news for people concerned about this possible side effect and would like to have pearly white teeth!
Rockville, Md.—The ADA has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to review and classify chemically-based tooth whitening agents.
Concerned that the application of unregulated dental products administered by unlicensed technicians or nonprofessionals may be harmful to consumers, the Association urged the FDA to “establish an appropriate regulatory classification for tooth whitening preparations that act by chemical means” to lighten tooth color.
The ADA detailed its concerns in a Nov. 20 letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D., from ADA President Ronald L. Tankersley and ADA Executive Director Kathleen T. O’Loughlin.
The action was prompted by the prevalence of whitening in nondental settings such as malls, kiosks, salons and cruise ships, which offer the services.
In the letter, Drs. Tankersley and O’Loughlin called this “troubling since consumers have little or no assurance regarding product safety or the professional qualifications of individuals employed in these nondental settings.
“Consequently, the ADA has legitimate concerns about the safe use of tooth whitening products without the benefit of professional consultation or examination,” they noted.
In 2008, the increase in teeth-whitening businesses encouraged the ADA House of Delegates to call for the Association to petition the FDA to properly classify tooth whitening and bleaching agents. Resolution 73H-2008 also urged the ADA to support educating the public on the importance of consulting a licensed dentist to determine if whitening/bleaching is an appropriate course of treatment.
In addition, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs compiled scientific research to describe treatment considerations for dentists before performing these procedures in order to reduce the incidence of adverse outcomes and report these findings to all state dental associations.
Res. 73H-2008 also called for constituent societies, through legislative or regulatory efforts, to support the proposition that administering or applying any intra-oral chemical for the sole purpose of whitening/bleaching of the teeth by whatever technique, except for the lawfully permitted self-application and application by a parent and/or guardian, constitutes the practice of dentistry, and any nondentist engaging in such activity is committing the unlicensed practice of dentistry.
More information is available in the ADA press release, posted online at www.ada.org/public/media/releases/0911_release02.asp.
As the end of the year approaches, it is important to understand your dental insurance benefits. Each individual plan is very different and taking the time to read your policy will help you maximize the benefits you are entitled to. Many plans have annual maximums that renew at the beginning of the new year, and any benefit that remains generally does not carry over. Also, if you have questions regarding your insurance coverage, calling the provider’s customer service number can be a good way to have some of them answered. If you have any other questions please let us know next time you are in, and we will do our best to help you get them answered.
All of us at Summit Dental Group would like to wish all of our patients a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the feast!
Last week we had the privilege of attending the first annual State Farm Health Fair. The event was a success and had a great turnout of people interested in improving their health. The event was put on for the employees and had different health care professionals and vendors interested in overall health speaking about their respective areas of expertise. We answered lots of questions concerning people’s oral health and options in dentistry. Also, we were able to hand out a lot of toothbrushes, floss and oralpix as well as samples of teeth whitening and a drawing for two electronic toothbrushes. It would be great to see more events like this promoting personal health around the valley and we congratulate State Farm for taking the initiative.
We would like to thank all of our participants in this years first annual Sugar Swap put on by the Boise dentists at Summit Dental! We had a great turnout, and ended up with 60 pounds of leftover Halloween candy. That’s 60 less pounds on the street! Next year we would like to continue the tradition and hopefully have even more participants and a bigger total of leftover candy.
Congratulations to Cooper, the winner of the grand prize drawing for an Ipod Touch. He was very excited to be the lucky winner and even said that he would share with his brother once in a while. Hope everyone had a great Halloween; we’re looking forward to Thanksgiving.
Parents with young children need to set a good example for daily brushing and flossing. Since little ones can’t brush and floss on their own teeth perfectly, parents should be involved in brushing and flossing until a child reaches the ages of 8 years old.
Young children learn best by watching and following their parents’ actions. They will be more likely to continue good dental hygiene if it has been set as a good habit from early on. Start encouraging your young one to participate in brushing as soon as they are comfortable holding a toothbrush.
Trust us, it will make both you and your children’s dental health much more enjoyable!
Halloween is a spooktacular holiday the entire family can enjoy. However, as the Boise dentists from Summit Dental know, it’s also one that can bring about unwanted goblins — better known as cavities. With the proper attention, you can avoid these pesky visitors and still let your children enjoy trick-or-treating.
According to the American Dental Association, the majority of all foods – about 90 percent – contain sugars or starches that enable bacteria in dental plaque to produce acids. This attack can lead to a loss of tooth mineral and cavities. A child who licks a piece of hard candy every few minutes or sips a sugary drink is more susceptible to tooth decay because long-lasting snacks create an acid attack on teeth the entire time they are in the mouth. One approach would be to allow your ghosts and goblins to indulge in Halloween candy at mealtime instead of as a snack. Another option with Halloween candy is to allow snacking immediately after trick-or-treating, then throw out the remainder.
Or better yet, join Boise dentists from Summit Dental in the Sugar Swap! Most importantly, teach and practice good oral hygiene with your children by making sure they brush and floss every day in addition to visiting the dentist regularly.