Nelson Dental serves the Sacramento, Elk Grove, Greenhaven and Pocket areas and focuses on preventative and minimally invasive dentistry to provide optimum care to its patients. The following are some of the techniques used to avoid more major dental problems.
Tooth Decay Prevention
Tooth decay is a progressive disease resulting 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. When found, dentists remove the decay and fill the tooth using a variety of fillings, restoring the tooth to a healthy state. Nerve damage can result from severe decay and may require a root canal and/or crown. Avoiding decay requires strict adherence to a dental hygiene regimen: brushing and flossing twice a day, regular dental checkups, diet control and preventive treatment. Practicing good hygiene avoids unhealthy teeth and costly treatment.
Xylitol gums and Mints
Pure xylitol is a white crystalline substance that looks and tastes like sugar. Because xylitol is only slowly absorbed and partially utilized, a reduced calorie claim is allowed: 2.4 calories per gram or 40% less than other carbohydrates.
Xylitol has been used in foods since the 1960’s. It is a popular sweetener for the diabetic diet in some countries. In the U.S., xylitol is approved as a food additive in unlimited quantity for foods with special dietary purposes.
Over 25 years of testing in widely different conditions confirm that xylitol is the best sweetener for teeth. Xylitol use reduces tooth decay rates. Sugarfree chewing gums and candies made with xylitol as the principal sweetener have already received official endorsements from six national dental associations.
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. Sealant material is a resin typically applied to the back teeth, molars and premolars and areas prone to cavities. It lasts for several years but needs to be checked during regular appointments.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a substance that helps teeth become stronger and resistant to decay. Regularly drinking water treated with fluoride and brushing and flossing regularly ensures significantly lower cavities.
MI Paste
Teeth need calcium, phosphate and fluoride. Healthy saliva contains these minerals, and in conjunction with certain salivary proteins is able to deliver bio-available calcium and phosphate to the tooth surface during the demineralization/remineralization process. Calcium and phosphate are known to help:
- Strengthen tooth enamel
- Reduce sensitivity
- Buffer plaque acid
MI Paste contains RECALDENT™ (CPP-ACP). This technology has a unique ability to deliver bio-available calcium and phosphate when they are needed most. MI Paste binds calcium and phosphate to tooth surfaces, plaque and surrounding soft tissue. The RECALDENT™ (CPP-ACP) technology releases the calcium and phosphate when a patient’s saliva is acid challenged by the normal digestive process.
Diagnodent
DIAGNOdent is a laser device that aids in the detections of caries.
Due to fluoridation, caries has gone “underground.” While helping to improve the oral health of many Americans, fluoridation has resulted in harder tooth enamel. Incipient caries lesions that once began on the tooth’s surface have now migrated below the surface. With the DIAGNOdent, very small lesions are detected at the earliest stage. Removing the decay early and placing smaller fillings, enables you to protect and preserve the tooth structure.
Nelson Dental serves Sacramento area for dentistry services. We proudly serve the Elk Grove, Greenhaven and Pocket areas with high quality dental care.
