Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry

Ocotillo Trails

Does Your Child Need Sealants?

Would you like to lower your child’s risk of cavities? If so, Dr. Matthew Roper, your family and cosmetic dentist in Queen Creek, AZ, child smileprovides a simple solution: dental sealants. Sealants protect chewing teeth Your child’s permanent pre-molars and molars, located at the back of the mouth, are used to chew, tear, and crush food. These teeth are particularly susceptible to tooth decay for three reasons Pre-molars and molars contain tiny pits and grooves that trap plaque, the colorless substance responsible to cavities. Brushing can remove most of the plaque in your child’s mouth, but toothbrush bristles are too small to reach into tiny depressions on the surface of teeth. Molars and pre-molars are a little weak when they first erupt and are more prone to developing cavities. Kids aren’t always thorough brushers. They may brush in record time or even forget to brush a few teeth.   Dental sealants protect your child’s pre-molars and molars by filling in the pits and grooves with plastic resin. Sealants are safe for your son or daughter and completely unnoticeable because they’re clear. You may like: Santan Dental Anxiety What happens when my child receives sealants? The first step in the sealant process involves cleaning your child’s teeth to remove any plaque and tartar. After your child’s teeth are cleaned, their Queen Creek dentist will apply an etching solution to the teeth in order to help the sealants stick to the teeth. Sealants come in liquid form, so the dentist brushes will brush them on the teeth before hardening them with a curing light. How should my child care for sealants? There are no special care instructions for sealants. Your child won’t be able to feel them and will brush and floss as usual. Sealants usually last about 10 years but can wear away sooner if your child grinds or clenches his or her teeth at night. Wearing a nightguard can prevent the sealants from wearing away prematurely and help your child avoid tooth damage due to grinding or clenching. Sealants can be easily reapplied if they do happen to wear away. Interested? Call your family and cosmetic dentist, Dr. Matthew Roper, today! Protect your child’s smile with sealants. Call your family and cosmetic dentist, Dr. Matthew Roper of Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry, today at (480) 457-1977 to schedule an appointment at our Queen Creek office. You may like: Santan CEREC Crowns

Can Dental Procedures be Restored?

There are many instances where adult teeth may require restorative treatment from a professional dentist at Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry, PLLC, in San Tan Valley, AZ. Dr. Matthew Roper, Dr. Nathan McLaws and Dr. Matthew Scheerborn are well versed in how to treat a variety of patients and their specific oral health situations. A thorough dental examination can provide the solution you’re looking for. Restorative Treatment Causes Generally, decay is one of the most common reasons for needing restorative dental treatment. This leads to broken teeth and older restorations needing replacement. If a dentist recommends a tooth with a cavity is treated and several weeks pass, the cavity can become bigger and cause the patient pain. When this occurs, they likely will extensive dental treatment. When a patient has a cavity and needs a restoration, there are different material types that can be used to restore the tooth. Oftentimes a tooth will need treatment before it causes pain, so if pain ensues most likely the issue has been occurring for a long time. A cavity forms on the side, root or surface of a tooth from harmful bacteria left in the mouth. They can occur at any age, making a good oral hygiene routine for a lifetime imperative. A San Tan Valley dentist will check all of the restorations in your mouth such as bridges, crowns, fillings or veneers for old age, damage or decay. X-rays allow them to see inside and between the teeth accurately. If any cavities are found, there are different treatment options available to restore the tooth. Finding these cavities at the early stages allows a dentist a better chance at restoring your teeth or to use a fluoride rinse at home that can help to fight the cavity from home. For more information on restorative dentistry at Ocotillo Family Dentistry, PLLC, in San Tan Valley, AZ, call 480-457-1977 today to schedule an appointment. You may like: Gilbert Family Dentistry