Tooth Decay Prevention
Tooth decay is a complex and progressive disease which affects roughly 30 percent of children by age 3!  It  results from the interaction of bacteria that naturally occur on the teeth and sugars in the everyday diet. Sugar causes a reaction in the bacteria, causing it to produce acids that break down the mineral in teeth, forming a cavity. Dentists remove the decay and fill the tooth using a variety of fillings, restoring the tooth to a healthy state. In severe cases, nerve damage can result, requiring a pulpotomy or root canal treatment.  When decay is too large, or if a pulpotomy has been performed, the tooth must be restored with a crown.  Avoiding unnecessary decay  requires strict adherence to a dental hygiene regimen including brushing and flossing twice a day (with parental involvement for young children), adhering to a healthy dental diet, regular dental checkups, and fluoride treatment.  Practicing good dental hygiene avoids unhealthy teeth, costly treatment and lost school days.

Sealants
The grooves and depressions that form the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are extremely difficult (if not impossible) to clean of bacteria and food. As the bacteria reacts with the food, acids form and break down the tooth enamel, causing cavities. Recent studies indicate that 88 percent of total cavities in American school children are caused this way.

Tooth sealants protect these susceptible areas by sealing the grooves and depressions, preventing bacteria and food particles from residing in these areas. Sealants are a white resin material typically applied to the permanent molars and premolars which are most prone to cavities. Sealants are remarkably resilient and can last for several years but need to be checked during regular appointments. 

Fluoride
Fluoride is an element that helps teeth become stronger and more resistant to decay.  We recommend drinking fluoridated water daily as a means to help prevent decay.  Tap water in Atlanta is fluoridated to an optimal level.  Refrigerator, faucet and pitcher type filters do not significantly remove fluoride from the water.  However, whole house, or reverse osmosis filter systems do remove fluoride from the water source.  Similarly, most bottled waters do not contain fluoride, unless marked as fluoridated.  Well water in the Atlanta area is also not adequately fluoridated.  Please let Dr. Enright and Dr. Piedad know what your primary source of drinking water is so that they can help determine how your child can receive the appropriate amount of fluoridated water to help prevent decay from occuring.

Thumb and Finger Sucking
Sucking is a natural reflex that relaxes and comforts babies and toddlers. Typically, children stop between the ages of 2 and 4 years. The intensity of the sucking habit will determine whether or not dental or skeletal changes occur. Thumb and finger sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can cause improper growth of the mouth and misalignment of the teeth. If you notice prolonged and/or vigorous thumb or finger sucking behavior in your child, talk to Dr. Enright or Piedad.

Here are some ways to help your child outgrow thumb or fingersucking:

• Don’t scold a child when they exhibit thumb or finger sucking behavior; instead, praise them when they don’t thumb suck.
• Focus on eliminating the cause of anxiety—thumb or finger sucking is a comfort device that helps children cope with stress or discomfort.
• Praise them when they refrain from the habit during difficult periods.
• Advise them to keep their thumb or finger out of their mouths while they are out in public since "it's dirty".  Try to confine the sucking to bedtime only as you help your child to wean off the thumb or finger
• Place a bandage on the digit or a sock on their hand at night.
• Use a calendar and colorful stickers to help track their success in stopping their habit.  A sample calendar can be found under the "Fun Stuff" tab on this website.

Pacifiers
It is best to use a pacifier only intermittently to help calm an infant or to bide time until feeding or until they go to sleep.   Do not get into the habit of allowing the child to keep the pacifier in his or her mouth for long periods of time.  The ideal time to take a pacifier away is around 18 months of age.  Prolonged pacifier use can produce harmful malocclusions (see Thumb and Finger Sucking section above) and tongue thrust.  Usually it is much easier to take the pacifier away than a parent anticipates!  Some parents find success by poking a hole in the tip or progressively cutting the nipple end of the pacifier.  In any case, it should not take longer than a few days of weaning.  Be there for your child and assure them that they are fine without their pacifier and that you are proud of them for giving it up.   You may want to give them a stuffed animal for them to hold while they fall asleep as a substitute. 

Mouthguards
Mouthguards can significantly reduce the incidence of dental trauma in children and adolescents who are active in sports.  Mouthguards are mandatory for many organized sports such as football, lacrosse, hockey and karate.  Increasingly, many coaches and schools are realizing the benefits of mouthguards in preventing dental and jaw injuries and are recommending that their athletes also wear mouthguards for baseball, basketball, soccer and wrestling.  Although stock mouthguards are readily available at sporting goods stores, they have several limitations.  Custom made mouthguards are easy to make, relatively inexpensive, comfortable to wear and allow your child to talk while wearing.  Ask our staff for further information about custom made mouthguards for your child.