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Carl D. Walsh for msnbc.com
Augusta Pediatric Dentistry assistant Molly Turner, left, and hygienist Diana DeRocher apply dental sealants to the teeth of Blin Rollins, 8 of Augusta, Maine. Sealants are one of the most-recommended, yet most under-used treatments to prevent tooth decay, dentists say.
No question, 8-year-old Blin Rollins has a sweet tooth.
He’d rather drink juice than water and he doesn’t turn down candy, admits his mother, Amy Rollins, 36, of Augusta, Maine.
“He is a big chocolate fan, of course,” said Rollins. “And the gummy stuff, the Mike and Ikes.”
So when her dentist, Jonathan Shenkin, suggested that dental sealants could keep tooth decay at bay in Blin’s permanent molars, Rollins was interested.
“Any type of preventive thing we can do to help keep his smile beautiful, we want to do,” she said.
But what Rollins didn’t know is that her child’s mouth is part of an ongoing debate over whether enough kids get the liquid plastic coverings that protect what Shenkin calls “the most decayed tooth in the mouth.”
Only about 20 percent of children at poverty level and only 40 percent of kids from higher-income homes actually receive recommended sealants, according to studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That confounds Shenkin, a pediatric dentist and spokesman for the American Dental Association. He says decades of research demonstrate that coating the biting surfaces of 6-year molars with a resin-based sealant can reduce cavities by up to nearly 80 percent immediately -- and up to 60 percent for four years or more.
“It’s imperative that as soon as those adult teeth erupt, that they be sealed,” he said.
In practice, however, less than 40 percent of dentists actually follow the recommendations of the ADA, according to a 2011 study by researchers at Temple University. The study tracked whether dentists were willing to seal teeth with the beginnings of decay, but no actual cavities.
“The lack of dentists doing sealants is a very silent and probably the most significant issue to care we face among children,” said Shenkin. “Parents should be asking for sealants and not taking no for an answer.”
But one of the profession’s most well-regarded dentists has been publicly cautious about sealants, saying there can be a high failure rate -- 50 percent within five years -- and arguing that they shouldn’t be placed if there’s any evidence of decay.
Gordon J. Christensen, who publishes Clinicians Report, widely regarded as the “Consumer Reports of dental products,” says that sealants done properly are “an excellent technique” for combatting decay. But, he adds, the success of the sealant depends largely on the skill of the person who applies it.
“They have to seek out a practitioner who knows what they’re doing,” he said.
“If they see failure immediately, that opens the window for decay.”
Christensen is concerned about so-called “non-cavitated caries lesions,” early signs of tooth decay that have not yet resulted in cavities. He worries that sealants trap plaque on the tooth, creating an environment that fuels future decay.
CDC researchers say studies have shown that decay does not progress once sealants are added, but Christensen maintains that he’s not convinced.
Dental sealants are formed when a plastic-like liquid is dripped onto the biting surface of the tooth, coating the pits and fissures that typically trap food and foster bacterial growth.
They’re applied to the permanent molars and set with ultraviolet light, ideally between the ages of 5 and 7, when the teeth erupt. Cost can be $30 to $40 for each tooth and is typically covered by most dental insurance policies.
In dental circles, the question of sealants has been hotly debated for nearly 50 years, and at least since the ADA awarded the product its seal of approval in 1976. While there have been concerns that the sealants may expose children to the controversial estrogen-like chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, the benefits in preventing kids’ cavities outweigh the risks, the American Dental Association states.
Studies consistently showed that sealants warded off decay in high proportions of permanent teeth, sometimes for up to a decade.
'This is a highly charged issue,' Christensen acknowledged.
Between 45 million and 55 million sealants are applied each year in the U.S., with pediatric dentists performing more than twice as many procedures as either general dentists or dental hygienists. That’s according to a report by AFG Research, a firm that tracks use of dental and medical products, in its U.S. Market Snapshot Series Report on Dental Practice Activity.
Support for the sealants is shared by oral health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who are particularly in favor of school-based sealant programs that reach kids without regular care.
“We’ve made the argument that they need to be used more, particularly among children at higher risk of decay,” said Barbara Gooch, a dental officer with the CDC’s division of oral health.
For many middle-class parents whose children do see the dentist, the problem is that the subject of sealants may not even be raised, said Shenkin.
Some dentists, mostly those who treat few children, might be leery of sealants because they can be tricky to place, or because they didn’t learn to use them in dental school and aren’t in the habit of offering the treatment, Shenkin said.
To be clear, not all children need sealants, said Bill Bailey, a dental officer with the CD, because their teeth are naturally not prone to decay or they have exceptional oral hygiene habits. But only a dentist can tell and Shenkin says parents should at least inquire.
But many do, and not just children typically at high risk. Recent studies have shown that boys in higher-income homes had the greatest prevalence of decay.
For those who do require sealants, they may mean the difference between a lifetime of healthy teeth and the pain and health risks of chronic decay.
“What folks need to know is that 90 percent of decay in the adult is on the biting surface on the back tooth,” Shenkin said.
He’s touting the benefits of sealants in part so that more parents will know to ask about them.
“Dentistry is a very demand-based health service,” he said. “Patient demand really affects what dentists do in their practices."
Related stories:
Bottled water may boost kids' tooth decay
FDA warns of toothbrushes that mess up your face
No proof bad gums cause heart trouble
An alarming number of preschoolers are showing up to the dentist's office with a mouthful of severe tooth decay. NBC's Dr. Nancy Snyderman reports.
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AND sealants have very high BPA and other toxic substances. They work, don't get me wrong and I have them on my teeth. However, I was a toxicological researcher for many years and I learned that the dental industry is behind the curve on toxicity. I wouldn't trust anything the dental industry puts out without approval from my M.D. I ABSOLUTELY did NOT get sealants for my children, and I won't until they remove all toxic substances. Just brush their teeth after eating sugary substances and cut out most sugary drinks.
Sealants weren't around when I was young but I did get them for my children who, thankfully, have had no cavities and they are both adults now. One of them has terrible dental habits, too, and try as I might, I could never break her of them. I tried teaching by example mostly, but failed miserably with that particular child. Anyway, more to the point of what you were saying... I was never warned about the toxicity of sealants when the dentist applied them to my children's teeth and this pisses me off. I would like to have at least been made aware of possible risks. Thank you for opening my eyes.
I had dental sealants put on my teeth as a child, and now I'm 30 and I've never had a cavity (or any other dental problems). When the sealants are applied, there could be a one time exposure to extremely low levels of BPA (2-5x less than what you are normally exposed to every day, since BPA is in almost everything). Fixing decayed teeth also exposes you to BPA. The health effects of BPA haven't yet been established.
From the ADA's website about BPA (bis-GMA is the precursor):
To put the exposure from dental materials into perspective, consider the exposure that occurs from the placement of six dental sealants containing bis-GMA in a child (7 to 14 years of age). The estimated one time exposure (upon sealant placement) for a male child of median body weight (51 to 112 pounds)1 is approximately 5.5 micrograms,2 which is two to five times lower than the estimated daily exposure from food and environmental sources.3
I had sealants applied as a child and have never had a cavity. Also, I didn't die, so I'm pretty sure you're being a little alarmist about their toxicity.
I never had sealants as a child, and I am middle-aged (well over 40) and I have never had a cavity.
Our dentist advised sealing the teeth of one child who had deep grooves in the molars but felt the other child did not need sealants because his teeth did not have deep grooves. Our dentist feels that each child should be evaluated individually and doesn't like the "seal 'em all" approach. It made sense to me.
How about parents controlling the intake of sugars by their "sweet little ones"?
Wow, what a novel idea!
sub - amazing how the easiest solution is just that..easy....and brushing too
Nice if you have the money
The health effects of BPA are actually well-documented and there are currently multiple class-action lawsuits against companies who have been using BPA in baby-bottles. It is an adaptogenic substance that converts to the hormone estrogen when ingested and over time can cause unwanted changes to developing bodies, in worst cases causing boys to develop breast tissue and have reproductive difficulties, and girls to enter premature puberty. And those of you who say things like - I didn't die from BPA so it must not be that bad - it's not that kind of toxin. I think it's crazy to say "benefits of sealants outweigh the risks" - that's baloney. The benefit of preventing cavities can be achieved by not feeding your children sugary treats, and making sure that they practice good dental hygiene. The risk is exposing them to a toxin. The sealants are just another way for the dental office and the plastics industry to make more money while giving the parents an easy way out of proper parenting. Remember when big pharma tried to make the HPV vaccine Gardacil mandatory and parents revolted? These sealants are another unnecessary evil as far as I'm concerned.
Dentists would lose money on the "drill and fill" if the teeth are protected from decay.
I lived in Ajijjic Mexico for over a year. My dentist was a graduate from the University of Iowa Dental School. He actually removed toxic fillings put in by US dentists. Each filling cost me around $20 per. My dentist in the US saw a bridge that "Carlos The Dentist" did and responded--"really nice work. Did I do that?
I never got any sealants and I have a whopping 4 cavities filled, no root canals and no extractions. If you just teach your kids to brush and floss properly and often, this is essentially all moot except in those cases where genetics has been so kind as to give people weak enamel.
Dear Kallie: Anything used in dentistry are FDA improved. And if You talking about toxicity check the food you are buying from the supermarkets.
I had sealants put on my kids' teeth, and THAT is when they started getting cavities! And... we did NOT overdo the sweets! I would recommend against any kind of sealant.
I'm one of those cursed with weak enamel. I've had 4 root canals and 5 crowns and have spent rediculous amounts of money on my teeth trying to save them. I'm 38 years old. I don't eat a lot of sugar, never liked candy as a kid. I brush and floss and use prescription strength flouride. It's been a lifetime of pain and fear of the dentist. All of my siblings have the same problem.
So when my son gets his permanent teeth in I will absolutley have them sealed. If I can do anything to help him avoid what I've had to go through, it's worth it to me.
It's only about MONEY or the lack of it.
sealants in some cases are part of good hygiene, not all kids have strong enamels.
I got my teeth sealed in 1988, haven't had a cavity since
The research on BPA in sealants is over a decade old, based on sealant materials that were unfilled. Currently most composite resin restorative materials are BPA free.
BTW, a greater source of estrogen-mimetic chemicals is Soy products.
The research on sealing in decay and that it would arrest the progess of the decay was based on sealants placed in a completely dry environment (with a rubber dam) on incactive decay. Unfortunately it can be difficult to determine if the decay is inactive. There are several laser detection devices now available to help evaluate the extent of decay for the chewing surface cavities. This is an adjunct to clinical examination.
I have families that all have great teeth and one child is devistated with decay. Everybody is different and has different body pH and different mixes of bacteria both pathologic and beneficial. It all depends on that persons demineralization/remineralization balance of factors.
BTW, dentistry has not used an ultraviolet light to cure materials since the '70's. They are correct that perfect teeth with no vulnerable spots and no decay do not need sealants. Two of my children have teeth like this. My other child had early decay and we opened the damaged enamel, sterilized the surface with Ozone and did prefventive resin restorations, (advanced sealants).
I have moved away from resin sealants and only use Glass ionomer sealants now. They can be placed in a moist environment, release Fluoride directly into the tooth structure, are self bonding, recharge with each fluoride varnish treatment in the future and do not leak. These can be placed as soon as the tooth has started to erupt into the mouth. If a child is at high risk for decay (two or more areas of decay et al.) then I do recommend GI sealants for all erupting permanent teeth.
I grew up with out sealants and am not a fan of their use. I think as parents we need to enforce good brushing, flossing and dental hygiene / habits as much as we enforce clean cloths, hair brushing. baths, showers, and other habits. All my children received sealants and they didn't seem to make a difference if they got cavities or not, the better the child brushed/flossed the better their teeth were. My youngest tries to hustle through it, and even with sealants has cavity problems. So use your judgement along with your dentist, but I personally feel, them taking good care of their teeth will go farthest.
T M J, I have to agree. Everyone in our family, including two young children uses Sonicare toothbrushes. While they are initially expensive, and the replacement brushes are pricey, it's worth the cost to me because our hygienist has noticed a considerable decrease in the amount of tartar build-up on all of us. I've gotten flack about it being the lazy way to brush, but if the job is getting done better, then fine, label it lazy, whatever. Along with good flossing habits, this ultimately saves money at the dentist because the scaling units I am charged is less. For four people going 3 times a year, that adds up!
I honestly don't see the incentive of a dentist offering these sealants, even at say $50 a pop because they can make wayyyy more money filling cavities. Let's face it, they're not dentists for free, they do this for a living.
Why don't we address the real problem here and stop feeding our kids so many concentrated sweets? So now our kids have to deal with obesity, early onset diabetes AND dental issues (just to list a few). When are we as a society recognize the harm our diets are causing and choose to CHANGE?!
completely agree. I didn't get them because my parents didn't have the money (they were not covered by insurance). We were told when I was 14 or 15 that I had especially deep valleys in my molars and would be prone to getting food stuck in them. I'm now 34 and haven't had any issues whatsoever. Brush your teeth twice a day minimum, floss and use listerine and you'll be ok.
I think a parental sealant would be better.
Funny, I had it done when I was a kid and those are the only teeth I got cavities in and now have fillings.
raea83--as the article states, the procedure must be done properly by dentists who have training in the technigue. It is important that dentists keep up with new techniques and not just dismiss them because they don't know how to do them, don't want to pay for or go back for specialized training. If they don't know how to do the procedure properly, then they should refer the patient to a dentist who does, instead of slamming the procedure due to their own sense of being threatened by new science.
The only cavities I have are in teeth that were "sealed." My dentist was great. It's just another something for them to sell you and something insurance will pay for.
The sealants have to be placed properly. Unfortunateley most are not, I was a dental assistant for years and worked in offices where they were put on by the assistants or the hygienists who did not have the training or the knowledge to place them correctly. I also worked in an office where they were only done by the doctor, and he took great care to clean the teeth and isolate them so the sealant would last.But even with the best sealants all teeth are susceptible to decay, especially the molars, which are the only ones that are sealed. So the fact that you only have cavities in the ones that were sealed doesn't really mean much. Without the sealants you may have had cavities much sooner in those teeth, as they are almost always the first to get decay. Also there are five surfaces to the tooth, the only one that is sealed is the occlusal or biting surface, just because you had a filling in that tooth doesn't mean the sealant failed, the decay could of started on any of the other four surfaces.
Hygienists are trained and have "the knowledge" to place sealants. As a registered dental hygienist I received many hours of training in school over 2 years of clinical study on how to place sealants and did so many times while being graded by dentists. We had to place a certain number of sealants each semester. I have also placed sealants countless times since graduating 10 years ago. We are mandated by the state that we practice in to be able to do so under direct supervision by a dentist, meaning that they prescribe the procedure and check our work after we have completed it. I agree that you have to take the time to do it correctly by polishing the tooth first with pumice and making sure you have a dry field. If you don't they will fail every time.
I am a dentist and only placed sealants if the child or parents had a previous history of many cavities in the grooves (pits and fissures) of their teeth, oral hygiene was very poor at several visits, parents and child admitted to a high carbohydrate diet (especially if the sour gummy candies were a favorite) AND the child is cooperative enough to get the teeth to be sealed completely isolated from saliva to ensure a complete seal. My own children do not have them. I have seen cavities under old sealants get quite large due to the difficulty of evaluating the seal of the sealant and often the decay is not noted until it shows on the xray (and is then moderate in size). But if all the initial requirements are met, they can be a good option especially for first molars which come in when the kids are 6 years old and typically not too compliant on oral hygiene habits.
Teresa, I am right there with you. I use the same parameters. I have restored 100's if not 1000's of teeth that were "sealed" I refuse to seal a tooth that I don't air abrade the fissure first and confirm the lack of decay. This also removes any left over crud in the tooth that would normally be sealed over and gives me a good bonding surface. I do use a self-etching bonding agent and a highly filled flowable composite instead of sealant. In 14 years of doing sealalnts this way, I can only remember one that failed, and that was due to moisture contamination. I replaced it at the patients next hygiene visit successfully. Good luck next week with all the patients that show up with questions! Dr G
“Any type of preventive thing we can do to help keep his smile beautiful, we want to do,” she said.
A preventive thing you can do is eliminate the process food and give them nutritional foods, fruits and veggies are a start. Make it interesting.
Many fruits are crammed as full of sugar as candy... it's just natural sugar instead of refined sugar. It'll still rot your teeth, though. A better plan is to be a toothbrush Nazi and make sure your kid is brushing at least twice a day.
Teach your kids to brush their teeth, don't give them candy and sodas at home (they should be reserved for real treats, not for everyday consumption) and you won't have any problems!
Remember, if you put a sealant on the teeth, you are introducing unnecessary chemicals into your child's body.
Well, I am by no means in the higher income level, but both of my children have had sealants on their teeth and they have done wonders. No cavities for either kid. They, like me, have very deep grooves in their teeth. Sealants, I believe, have warded off any problems. We are fortunate that our dental insurance covers sealant for our kids. However, not for adults, which in the end cost more money for our benefit plan and pocketbook. Sealants prevent more than cavities. Had I been able to afford the sealants needed on my teeth, I would not have had the problems that resulted in a very expensive crown.
I applaud the dentists who will provide this service. They have been invaluable for my children.
i absolutely love that my parents got sealants for us kids. never has a cavity, always had very good checkups. havent even been the model of flossing (though brushing teeth always feels like a good way to start and end the day).
lucky or whatever, never had to deal with any teeth issues
ps, loves sugar
Unless you drink tap water you essentially drink BPA's everyday. And they're in your tuperware. And basically everything else that humans use. We contaminate ourselves everyday and then want to put the blame elsewhere for something that might come from it. Kids today have every type of allergy, condition, symptom and disease; many of which were not around yearsd ago. And years ago no one was concerned with things like BPA. I think we should consider taking a step back.
Mine never had sealants and neither did I. I have never had a cavity in 52 years and my adult son had had one small one. My younger kids don't have sealant even though they were offered, and they have been fine so far. I don't think those without cavities don't have them exclusively because of sealants. My husband has several fillings and he didn't have them either. I think it is genes (his mother has lots of fillings too), diet, and general health and not all about the sealants. They may help some I would concede for some people, but I think brushing your teeth and not drinking and eating crap all day help a lot.
Very well said ram. I'm almost 50, have had one small cavity at the age of 32, nothing since, my husband only two himself. Before my children had teeth, I used a soft finger brush on their gums, and since then, they floss and brush twice a day, without fail. I do have to be militant about it, but I feel this establishes good, life-long habits.
Maybe sealants have their place with some people who don't have someone to watch over them, but I am diligent about this so until I see a problem, I don't see the need. The Sonicare brushes (I have the children's version for my kids), have quad spaced timers. After they floss, I do the first two with my older child, then supervise when he "polishes". My younger child, I do the first three and supervise while he polishes for the last timer. This way, they get used to brushing on their own, but I make sure the job is done well. They drink milk and water, not a bunch of sugary junk either. A little common sense goes a long way!
I had sealant when I was a kid. I am now 51. My parents and I were told I had very tiny openings where the tops of the teeth didn't come fully together. I haven't had a cavity in the teeth he sealed. But I was also told I was carries immune. That may be a genetic thing. Buy I was also told nothing replaces good dental hygiene and not to take my good luck for granted.
this is just more poison they want in our children. I ask you this------when is your heart going to lead you? Feel, unplug and just feel. Our children are being poisoned. Don't give them what the establishment pushes. Instead monitor their diets and change your habits. Drugs and chemicals are not answers they are money making machines for big pharma.
I am a practicing dentist and I have to say that I am in no hurry to poison anyone's children. As with every other aspect of my dental practice, I aim to do the minimum intervention necessary to ensure that your children get to keep their teeth forever.
For some, that means yearly cleanings and praise for doing such a good job in home hygiene. For others, that means sealants, fillings, and a stern lecture about how the children need to do better. Usually, the homecare lecture is mostly aimed at the parent who does not value dental hygiene enough to monitor the child's habits.
For as much as I disagree with your conspiracy theory regarding drugs and current dental treatments, I do have to agree with your solution. Seriously, if you know of or develop a successful way to monitor every child's diet and change their habits, sign me up. I want to know. The only true, lasting solution to the pediatric dental problem is for parents to care enough to monitor and guide their children.
Until then, I will continue to use every trick in my bag, be it cleanings, sealants, or extractions to compensate for suboptimal pediatric oral hygiene and misguided parental nonsense.
I was always raised to brush my teeth and I have always been a "flosser". As I child I went through a lot of dental trama. Many cavities, tooth extrations, braces, ...... I now have 7 crowns and have had 5 root canals. Some of dental issues are inherited. When my parents were my age (and I know dental care has come a long way) my mother had a full set of dentures and my dad had a partial and a bridge.
My youngest niece was born when my sister had 3 children and was returning to school, ay age 40. My youngest niece quailified for the low income dental Sealant proceedure. At 26 yrs old, she has never had a cavity in her life. And she is only so-so on dental hygiene. Considering the toxicity of the mercury and other alloys they put in my mouth, I am not so sure the sealants are so bad. We are not even discussing the problems with oral infections that can be deadly. I know my sister could not have afforded proper dental care had my niece had normal dental problems. I believe that the sealants, in her case, were worth it.
Until we have comprehensive dental services for everyone, what else are you going to do?
DEN, who is to say she would have gotten cavities without the sealants? The oral infections you speak of are for people with heart murmurs, and they should take antibiotics before dental work anyways. That is a small proportion of people compared to the general population. Exposure to more chemicals is not the answer. One's income level has nothing to do with being diligent with teaching your kids good dental habits at a very early age. Spending time on good hygiene habits with your kids doesn't cost a thing!
Actually, the American Heart Association no longer recommends antibiotics before dental treatment for those with heart murmurs. And, yes, dental infections can be deadly. Google Deamont Driver.
Both of my kids had sealants. Today they are 17 and 21 and neither of them have ever had a cavity. Good oral hygiene or sealants? My money's on the sealants.
What ever Dentist are only in that field for one thing and one thing only $$$$.
Ok as a kid I used to get supposedly tons of cavities where the dentist had to put in fillings. When I got all my adult teeth in, I quit going to the dentist. It now been 15+ years and I have only been to the dentist to get cleanings done every 4 years.
I have found dentist are a bunch of con artist. They take ex-rays of your teeth then come in put them up so you can see the picture and point to little dark spots on the Ex-ray saying you have a cavity here pointing to a small dark spot. HMM really I have a cavity, yes you do it will coast you $200 to get that fixed would you like to set up an appointment to get that done.
No sorry, I will just go home brush that area more and put some tooth paste on it. The dentist gets upset and says if you don't get this taken care of it will get worse and you will then need to get a root canal done.
Really, Tell you what Dentist, I am going to schedule an appointment with another dentist. I'm not going to tell them I was here and have a new cleaning and xrays done there. If they come to me and tell me I have a cavity in the same spot as where you are telling me and it needs to be fixed right away. I will come back and schedule an appointment with you to have that done. If not you will have to refund my money for the cleaning and give me free dental cleanings for the rest of the year.
They never take the offer, why its a load of BS. There is no cavity and they are just trying to extort more money out of you for doing work on good teeth.
@ Leatherneck what you are describing is absolutely incorrect. The x-ray dentists take must be submitted to the dental insurance company to prove a cavity was present. The insurance company has dentists who work for them and check ALL x-rays before payment is sent to the dentist. Additionally, if a dentist is truly in it for the "money" like you are saying why try to fix a tooth when it is only 200 bucks? They would wait until it is a full blown root canal ($1,500.00 plus the crown $1,000.00) that is where the money is. Seriously, hold a grudge much? I imagine you might be the type who walks out of the dentist only to come crying 12 months later because your tooth needs a root canal but wait, that is too expensive you will get it pulled instead. Good luck with dentures!!!
I am a dentist. I have NEVER had an insurance company require x-rays to prove a cavity was there before they would pay for a filling. More expensive work, such as crowns, bridges, even partials (to prove there are indeed missing teeth, I suppose), and they may require an x-ray, but not always.
I agree, though, that, if I were in it for the money, I wouldn't care if you waited until you needed a root canal and crown. Cha-ching, right? But silly lazy dentists would rather do easier work for less money. Or, just maybe, we have your best interests at heart. BTW, Leatherneck, if you get a toothache on the weekend, good luck getting a dentist you have insulted to come in and take care of your negligence. THAT is why they don't take you up on your "offer"; they can't care more about your teeth than you do, you've already insulted them, and that makes you not worth the trouble.
Sandy-2021492:
Sorry one supposed cavity that was pointed out was over 12 years ago, guess what at my next cleaning 4 years later at a new dentist it had moved from a front upper left position to a back lower right position. Then about 6 years ago at my last cleaning the cavity moved again now it was found in a back molar. Funny thing even to this day NO PAIN in my teeth and I still have them all.
Again Sandy I know full well that Dentist are just trying to get $$$ to pay for there over head, schooling, equipment. If you don't do X work a week then your losing $$$. So don't try to hide the fact that you are willing to tell some white lies to make your weekly and monthly bills.
Pain is a late symptom of tooth decay. Often, by the time you feel pain, it is no longer just a cavity; it is now an infected pulp.
Not cool to call people you've never met liars. Again, your attitude is offputting, which is why the dentist didn't take your "offer". In my office, if you call me a liar, you are invited not to come back. I don't need money enough to take insults, just as I don't need money enough to compromise my principles and lie to patients.
Sandy: What I am saying is that Dentist are willing to **** up a good tooth by drilling and filling a tooth that has tooth decay on it, instead of just telling a patient how to prevent and correct it. Like I stated to several dentist that found a supposed cavity on my teeth. They wanted to drill and fill, sorry I will just go home and take extra steps to reverse the slight tooth decay. Yet dentist that I have seen get upset about this, do to I will not let them just drill and fill a good tooth. They find out I'm not ignorant about just letting them **** up my teeth to make some more $$$.
Pain is a late symptom of tooth decay, No ****. Yet are you trying to tell me that Dentists that wanted to drill and fill my teeth do to they found a dark spot on it in a X-Ray 12, 8 and 6 years ago would not be completely ****ed up by now or that by now I would not be in pain if I really had a cavity on them?
Word to the not so wise, a dark spot on your teeth can be revered if you take the time to fix it, with out having to get your teeth drilled and filled. Just because a Dentist finds a dark spot on your teeth does not mean you have a cavity. All that is, is you have tooth decay and you need to take some extra time cleaning that area better. Don't let a dentist work on your teeth unless you know for a fact the procedure is needed.
Treatment for tooth decay depends on how bad it is. You may be able to reverse slight tooth decay by using fluoride.
You MAY be able to reverse decay. Depends how advanced it is. I routinely recommend attempts at remineralization for patients with incipient lesions, as do most dentists. Sometimes it works; sometimes not. And as far as dentists not telling patients how to prevent decay - BS. We've been stressing brushing, flossing, and limiting sugar for decades. Not our fault patients won't listen.
I routinely see patients whose teeth are so decayed that they can't be saved, but have NO pain. Just puddles of mush in their gums that don't hurt at all, and never have. Pain is not the only indicator of disease. So, yes, it is entirely possible that you could have had cavities for 12 years that have never caused pain. Some can progress slowly, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be addressed.
The problem with sealants is that they are clear and you don't know if your kid got one or not. You need to trust your dentist.
Dentists, like many lawyers, anymore have a hard time making their overhead. I wouldn't doubt some find ways to keep their patients coming back for expensive procedures. I had a dentist once who told me my daughter didn't need flouride treatments as she didn't seem to get cavities. Sure enough, within a year, my kid had her FIRST EVER three cavities and I had a $700 bill. Needless to say, I found a new dentist who believed in the science behind flouride. Those dentists who don't know how to do this preventative dentistry technique properly need to learn how to do it or refer to dentists who have had the training.
I have my teeth sealed, my insurance has always paid in full for them to be sealed. Never had a cavity, not even on baby teeth. I think everyone should get sealants and it should be covered fully under preventative maintenance by insurance. I just got them re-sealed a couple years ago too.
Both of my children had sealants. They are now both in 30's. Not one cavity. Not one problem. Dentists say their teeth are in pristine condition. One even had braces and still no cavities. The pain and agony of drilling they never had and do not fear/hate the dentist. They both developed good brushing and dental habits because they never felt pain or fear. Sealants are the best. Save your children's teeth.
A dentist recommend something that may prevent tooth decay? Yeah right. Tooth decay is what keeps them in business!
So, when you take your car to the mechanic, he refuses to change the oil, right?
Dentists have been responsible for almost ALL of the public health initiatives to prevent decay. Dental hygienists also have organized national campaigns in an attempt to get people to brush and floss and have good oral hygiene. Both are responsible for periodic free treatment in neighborhoods where children can't afford dental care.
Dental professionals have plenty to do without deliberately withholding information or treatment that would make your childrens' teeth/gums better. We won't force you to get treatment. We hope you don't need it. You will, though, if you routinely refuse to use anything that is advised for optimal oral health.
My son got sealants through our local county health department here in Oregon. They come to the local elementary schools and do check ups as well as sealants. He had his done when he was seven. He has not had one cavity since and he just turned 13. I know this is gross but I know he sometimes goes weeks without brushing his teeth. I am all for sealants and wish other states had programs such as ours.
WEEKS?!? Sealants won't do him any good without proper home care!! Don't ASK him to brush. Whip his butt. Have his girlfriend tell him to brush. Make him eat plaque-staining tablets. Anything, just motivate the kid to do the right thing and brush.
On the brighter-but-still-depressing side, when he gets older, his dentures probably won't get cavities at all.
It all comes down to money if it can make the dentist money they need it of course>
I'm very suspicious of Gordon Christiensen's opinions. As a dental Assistant with over 25 years experience, I know that he also maintains a dental practice managment stategy that espouses doing alot of elective work to grow the practice and make more and more $$.. I have not found him and his managment advisors patient or consumer friendly at all. So of course fillings, root canal, etc are alot more expensive than conservative sealents. BOOO
As for high levels of BPA in sealents- completely faulse- just like mercury vapor from amalgam fills..
"He’d rather drink juice than water and he doesn’t turn down candy, admits his mother, Amy Rollins, 36, of Augusta, Maine."
“He is a big chocolate fan, of course,” said Rollins. “And the gummy stuff, the Mike and Ikes.”
“Any type of preventive thing we can do to help keep his smile beautiful, we want to do,” she said.
This is classic bad parenting. You prefer juice, great, here's your water - you had juice at breakfast. How do you become a big chocolate fan without having somewhat frequent chocolate?
My kids survive on only occasional treats such as a couple of pieces (where couple mean two) on the holidays and a few random times per year. Treats are not expected or the norm, thus the idea of treat. They brush their teeth after breakfast and after dinner. Water throughout the day keeps the cavities away.
Willing to do anything preventative for your kids, then stop feeding your kids sugar and giving them expectations of it. Gummy stuff is a highway to decay. Get some courage to protect your kids. They won't complain about not having X if you get them in the habit of not having X.
Shakes head.
I was on the experimental program that tested sealants prior to them being generally available. I'm guessing that the process must be much simpler now, and the sealants not quite as tough, but those original sealants were bullet proof. For me they lasted 12 years and I never got a single cavity. They also prepped the teeth with an acid wash and took their time in getting each tooth properly sealed... maybe dentists today aren't quite as careful.