On the biting surfaces of teeth, especially the back molars where most childhood cavities are found, there are pits and fissures where food particles, sugar, and bacteria can easily get caught. Even with careful brushing, food and bacteria can build up in these tiny spaces. When the bacteria digest the food, they release acid, which gathers in the pits and fissures. These pools of acid can more easily eat through the enamel and into the inner layers of the teeth, causing cavities.

It's important to detect and treat decay as soon as possible, before the infection reaches the innermost layers of the tooth. If decay is not treated, the situation can lead to the need for root canal therapy and a crown to maintain the tooth. This is true even for baby teeth, also known as primary teeth. Primary teeth help your child speak and eat properly, and they hold the space ready for the permanent tooth to come in. In addition, keeping all their teeth healthy helps children feel good about how they look.

Bite Problems

Your child's bite should be evaluated regularly to check for crowded and crooked teeth. This condition is called malocclusion, and children develop it for a variety of reasons. Sometimes malocclusion is inherited, and other times it's caused by early loss of baby teeth or habits such as thumbsucking or fingernail biting.

Preventing and treating problems with the bite early in childhood can prevent a lifetime of dental problems. Straight teeth are not only more attractive, they're also easier to keep clean and in less danger of developing tooth decay and gum disease.

Sealants

Sealants are a clear or tooth-colored plastic film that is usually applied to the biting surfaces of back teeth. Sealants seal food and bacteria out of the pits and fissures of the teeth, protecting them from tooth decay. Along with proper brushing and flossing and regular dental visits, sealants can go a long way to helping your child maintain a healthy smile.

Applying sealants is usually an easy, one-appointment procedure. After a thorough exam and dental cleaning, the teeth are conditioned, and then we apply the sealant liquid, which flows into the pits and fissures. Depending on the sealant material, it then hardens on its own or with a special curing light. Anesthesia is usually not needed, and your child can eat right after the appointment.

Mouthguards

With school come sports and after-school play, and these activities can often lead to injuries to the mouth. You may think that hockey and football are the most likely culprit, but in fact, any activity that includes the risk of falls or contact with other people or equipment can cause mouth injuries. These include beloved sports like baseball, soccer, skateboarding, skating, volleyball, and gymnastics. In fact, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, basketball and baseball are the scene of more than half of sports-related mouth injuries.

You can help reduce you child's risk of injury by providing a mouthguard, which protects not only teeth, but also the cheeks, lips, tongue, and jaw. It's a flexible plastic device that is adapted to fit the upper teeth. You could choose either an inexpensive stock or boil-and-bite mouthguard from a sporting goods store. However, these guards are often bulky, less comfortable, and because they don't fit well, they don't protect as well, either. A better choice is a mouthguard that we custom-fit for your child. Since it will fit well, feel less bulky, and won't interfere as much with speech and breathing, your child will be more likely to wear it.

For More Information

We'll be happy to answer any of your questions about helping your child prepare dentally for the school year. In the meantime, you can check out these websites:

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry at http://www.aapd.org/
• American Dental Association at http://www.ada.org/public/topics/decay.asp
• Academy of General Dentistry at http://www.agd.org/consumer/topics/sealants/index.html and http://www.agd.org/consumer/topics/mouthguards/index.html