#preventative

[howifeltabouthim]

'You cannot change what has gone before, but you can stop any more harm.'

Alison Goodman, from The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin

[thelovebudllc]

Preventative vs. periodontal cleanings. What’s the difference? – Summit Dental Health

Everyone knows you should have your teeth cleaned every six months, right? Well, maybe. The truth is, as it is for many things, it depends! For many people with healthy teeth and gums, a regular cleaning and checkup every six months works just fine. Sometimes, however, your dentist or hygienist may recommend more frequent cleanings, as is often the case with gum disease. Let’s explore the…

[crazycometspecular]

Jayce “I’m gonna touch it” Talis

[myscottsdale]

Dental Sealants: Your Ultimate Defense Against Tooth Decay in Scottsdale, AZ

Introduction: Protect Your Smile with Dental Sealants:

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and keeping it healthy is essential for both aesthetics and overall well-being. While regular brushing and flossing are critical for oral hygiene, some areas of your teeth are harder to clean and more prone to decay. This is especially true for molars and premolars, which have deep grooves and pits that can trap food and bacteria.

Enter dental sealants—a simple yet highly effective solution for protecting these vulnerable areas. At My Scottsdale Dentist, we specialize in providing top-notch preventive dental care, including dental sealants, to keep your teeth healthy and strong. Whether you’re a parent looking to safeguard your child’s teeth or an adult wanting extra protection against cavities, dental sealants can be a game-changer.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about dental sealants, from their benefits and procedure details to their lifespan and care tips.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin, plastic-like coatings that are painted onto the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. These coatings seal off the deep grooves (known as pits and fissures) where food particles and bacteria are most likely to accumulate, reducing the risk of decay.

A sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of teeth. More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves. Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and are very susceptible to decay. A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves, creating a smooth, easy to clean surface.

Sealants are made from medical-grade materials such as:

Resins: Plant or synthetic materials known for their durability.

Glass Ionomers: A combination of glass powder and water-soluble acid, offering an additional fluoride release to strengthen enamel.

Once applied, the sealant hardens to create a protective barrier, making it easier to clean the surface and prevent cavities.

What is the purpose of sealants?

Dentists place sealants to protect your teeth from disease-causing bacteria. Your back teeth have deep grooves that help you grind up food when you chew. Food and bacteria can become trapped in these grooves, leading to tooth decay (cavities) over time. Sealants coat these areas so bacteria can’t reach them.

Who needs dental sealants?

Children and teenagers are popular candidates for dental sealants. But adults without decay or dental fillings in their molars can also benefit from this treatment. In general, anyone who’s prone to tooth decay on their back teeth should consider sealants.

Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. This way, the dental sealants can protect their teeth through the cavity-prone years (ages 6 through 14).

In some cases, dental sealants may also be appropriate for primary (baby) teeth. For example, if your child has baby teeth with deep depressions and grooves, sealants can protect these areas. Because baby teeth play such an important role in holding space for adult (permanent) teeth, it’s important to keep these teeth healthy so they’re not lost too early.

How common are sealants?

Sealants are one of the most common preventive dentistry treatments performed today. In the U.S., approximately 42% of children aged 6 to 11 and 48% of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have dental sealants on their adult (permanent) teeth.

Do I have to prepare for sealants?

There’s nothing you need to do to prepare for dental sealants. Your dentist or hygienist will place them during a routine office visit.

Before they apply the sealants, they’ll thoroughly clean your teeth. This helps prevent bacteria from becoming trapped between the sealant material and your tooth surfaces.

How are dental sealants applied?

Applying dental sealants is a simple and painless process. It only takes a few minutes for your dentist or hygienist to apply the sealant to each tooth. Your provider will:

Clean your teeth thoroughly.

Dry your teeth and place a piece of cotton gauze in the area to keep your teeth surfaces dry.

Paint a small amount of an acid etching solution on the chewing surfaces of your teeth to roughen them up, which helps the sealants bond properly.

Rinse and dry your teeth.

Paint the sealant material onto your enamel, where it will bond directly to your tooth.

Shine a curing light on the sealant material to harden it.

What are the benefits of dental sealants?

Dental sealants offer several advantages that make them an invaluable part of preventive dental care:

Cavity Prevention: Sealants shield teeth from food particles and bacteria that can lead to decay. Studies show that children without sealants are three times more likely to develop cavities.

Non-Invasive: Applying sealants is painless and requires no drilling, making it a stress-free experience for patients of all ages.

Cost-Effective: Preventing cavities with sealants is far more affordable than treating them with fillings, crowns, or root canals.

Long-Lasting Protection: While sealants don’t last forever, they can protect your teeth for up to five years with proper care.

Improved Oral Hygiene: By creating a smooth surface on molars and premolars, sealants make these areas easier to clean with regular brushing and flossing.

Are there disadvantages?

In most cases, the pros of dental sealants outweigh the cons. But here are a few things you should know:

Sealants only last about five years. You’ll need to have them replaced every now and then.

You can’t have dental sealants placed on teeth that have existing decay or dental fillings.

If sealants aren’t placed properly, they can seal in bacteria and cause cavities.

The Dental Sealant Procedure: What to Expect

1. Cleaning the Teeth

The dentist or hygienist begins by thoroughly cleaning the chewing surfaces of your molars and premolars to remove any plaque, food particles, or debris. This ensures a clean surface for the sealant to adhere to.

2. Drying and Isolation

The teeth are then dried, and cotton or other materials are placed around them to keep the area dry during the procedure.

3. Preparing the Surface

An acid etching solution is applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This roughens the enamel slightly, helping the sealant bond securely.

4. Rinsing and Drying Again

After a few seconds, the etching solution is rinsed off, and the teeth are dried once more.

5. Applying the Sealant

The dentist carefully paints the sealant material onto the tooth enamel, ensuring it flows into all the grooves and pits.

6. Hardening the Sealant

A special curing light is used to harden the sealant material, creating a durable protective barrier.

7. Final Check

The dentist checks the sealants to ensure they are properly set and that your bite feels comfortable.

The entire process takes only a few minutes per tooth and is completely pain-free.

Sealants vs. Fluoride Treatments

While both sealants and fluoride play roles in preventing cavities, they work differently:

Sealants: Provide a physical barrier on the tooth surface, protecting it from decay-causing bacteria.

Fluoride: Strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.

In many cases, these treatments are complementary. For children and teens, a combination of sealants and fluoride treatments offers maximum protection during their cavity-prone years.

Caring for Your Dental Sealants

Sealants require minimal maintenance, but here are a few tips to ensure they last as long as possible:

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to keep your teeth clean.

Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods: Chewing on ice, hard candies, or sticky snacks can chip or wear down the sealant material.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly: Routine checkups allow your dentist to monitor your sealants and reapply them if necessary.

Use Fluoride Products: Fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash can help strengthen the enamel surrounding the sealants.

Why Choose My Scottsdale Dentist for Dental Sealants?

At My Scottsdale Dentist, we pride ourselves on providing personalized, high-quality care to every patient. Here’s why we’re the go-to choice for dental sealants in Scottsdale, AZ:

Experienced Team: Dr. Steven H. Poulos and our team have extensive experience in preventive dentistry.

Advanced Technology: We use state-of-the-art equipment to ensure precise and effective sealant application.

Compassionate Care: Our team is dedicated to making every visit comfortable and stress-free.

Comprehensive Services: From dental sealants to fluoride treatments and beyond, we offer a full range of preventive care options.

Conclusion:

My Scottsdale Dentist may also recommend supplemental fluoride treatments or a fluoride mouthwash for your children. Fluoride is a mineral that attracts other minerals to create a strong defense against tooth decay. While most tap water now has fluoride, bottled water does not. Kids who primarily drink bottled water may need a supplement to replenish their fluoride level.

[odinsblog]

This is unconscionable. (more)

[tzikeh]

While Christmas Day is the last day anyone should ask for you to spend more money, I'm asking you to spend more money. A dollar. Five dollars. Whatever you've got. Elon Musk wants to own Wikipedia - one of the last reliable sources out there, and the only one not owned by a billionaire or corporation.

If you can't donate, this message isn't for you and you should not feel bad.

If you can donate to Wikipedia to keep it out of Musk's filthy, blood-stained hands, please do.

Here's the donations page.

[shorthaltsjester]

Critical Role: 10 Years of Storytelling

Campaign 1, Episode 115, "The Chapter Closes." // Taliesin Jaffe, in "As D&D booms, 'Critical Role' makes its own kind of nerd celebrity" by Sarah Parvini // Campaign 3, Episode 31, "Breaking Point" // On Loving by Forugh Farrokhzad, tr. Sholeh Wolpé // The Legend of Vox Machina at NYCC 2022 // 8-bit Stories // Campaign 1 Wrap-Up // “Without You Without Them” by boygenius // Campaign 2, Episode 141, "Fond Farewells." // Campaign 3: Behind the Set // Letters to Milena by Franz Kafka // Campaign 1, Episode 115, "The Chapter Closes." // Explanation of the final Vex’ahlia playlist by Laura Bailey // Liam's Quest: Full Circle // Backwards by Warsan Shire // Exandria Unlimited: Kymal, Part 2 // Explanation of Fearne’s second playlist by Ashley Johnson // Lighthousekeeping by Jeanette Winterson // San Diego Comic-Con 2023, Critical Role: Fireside Chat & Cast Q&A // Exandria Unlimited Cooldown: Divergence Episode 4 // Campaign 3, Episode 23, "To the Skies." // Explanation of the final Percy playlist by Taliesin Jaffe // "For Good" by Stephen Schwartz // Campaign 3, Episode 91, "True Heroism." // Exandria Unlimited: Calamity, Episode 4, "Fire and Ruin." // Campaign 3, Episode 121, "A New Age Begins."

[haredjarris]

[chloesimaginationthings]

The FNAF Vanessas meet their younger selves..

[meo-eiru]

Visiting dreams (read from right to left)

Was watching a comedy show and one of the episodes were about a wife buying glasses like that to enter her husband's dreams and see if he's cheating on her and I was like "that's the most Elias thing ever" so I drew my own version of it

Let me know if you guys want a part 2

Part 2 here

[thesaltyace]

Y'all I did NOT know this about Harris, and I think it's really critical that we all listen and understand as we approach this election. Video at the end.

This creator's video describes how progressive Harris was as a prosecutor -- actively going against the grain to the point she was accused of being soft on crime. Accused of being a social worker, not a prosecutor. She calls it being smart on crime. She's pushing for systemic changes to give real pathways to reintegrate incarcerated folks back into society and prevent their past from continuing to haunt them moving forward.

"Kamala's a cop" is a catchy dismissive response usually used to shut down conversation rather than add nuance. But this kind of reform is ESSENTIAL to work towards a present and future that treats incarcerated people with value.

I fell for it in 2020 and have thought "Kamala's a cop" without further inspection since - and I'm sobered by the realization that (you guessed it!) I'm not immune to propaganda.

A better system only follows liberal democracy, because library democracy allows for exploration of better systems. If authoritarianism takes hold, it will not allow for the exploration of better systems. We will have to fight tooth and nail just to try to get back to liberal democracy, and I suspect we could not achieve it in our lifetimes.

Harris isn't perfect. But she's a hell of a lot better than many leftists have led me to believe. Don't let perfection be the enemy of good. Don't let perfection be the enemy of harm reduction.

We can either help elect Trump and usher in authoritarian fascism, or we can help defeat him and pull things back in the direction we want to go. Not liking the choices doesn't absolve you from participating and doing the most good you can with the options available.

I'll link the original video in the replies. The original video has captions if you need them.

[thelovebudllc]

Preventative Screenings During National Cancer Prevention Month

The Importance of Preventative Screenings During National Cancer Prevention Month: In February, National Cancer Prevention Month shines a spotlight on the important role of prevention and early detection in reducing the risk of developing cancer. With over one million people diagnosed annually in the United States, cancer remains a leading cause of death. However, regular screenings, healthy…

[myscottsdale]

The Importance of Preventative Dental Care: Protecting Oral Health for the Future

Introduction :

Oral health is a key component of overall well-being, yet it's often neglected until a problem arises. Preventative dental care focuses on keeping your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy to avoid dental issues before they become more serious. Regular check-ups, good oral hygiene practices, and professional cleanings are the cornerstone of this approach. This comprehensive guide will explore what preventative dental care entails, when you need it, the different types available, and the risks and benefits associated with it. By understanding and adopting preventative dental care, you can maintain a bright smile and enjoy optimal oral health for years to come.

What is Preventative Dental Care?

Preventative dental care refers to the practices and procedures that help maintain good oral hygiene and prevent dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, enamel wear, and other serious dental issues. It encompasses everything from daily brushing and flossing to regular dental exams and professional cleanings. The primary goal of preventative care is to catch potential dental issues early or stop them from developing in the first place.

When Would You Need Preventative Dental Care?

Preventative dental care is something everyone needs, regardless of age or current oral health status. It's especially important in the following scenarios:

Routine Maintenance: For maintaining everyday oral health and preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues.

Early Stages of Gum Disease or Tooth Decay: If you are showing early signs of dental problems, preventative care can stop them from progressing.

Family History of Dental Problems: Those with a family history of dental issues, such as cavities or gum disease, are at a higher risk and may benefit from more frequent preventative measures.

Age-Related Wear: Children, adults, and seniors have different dental care needs. Preventative care can help manage the changing oral health requirements at every stage of life.

Types of Preventative Dental Care :

There are several forms of preventative dental care, ranging from at-home practices to professional treatments. Some key types include:

When you visit your dentist for preventative care, a typical procedure includes:

Examination: Your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth for signs of decay, gum disease, or other issues. X-rays may be taken to assess the condition of your teeth below the surface.

Cleaning: A dental hygienist will perform a professional cleaning, which includes scaling to remove tartar and plaque, polishing to remove stains, and fluoride treatment for added protection.

Discussion of Oral Hygiene: Your dentist or hygienist will discuss your brushing and flossing habits and provide personalized advice for improving your oral care routine.

What are the Benefits of Preventative Dental Care?

Prevention of Cavities and Gum Disease: Regular cleanings and good oral hygiene help prevent the build-up of plaque, which can lead to cavities and gum disease.

Early Detection of Issues: Routine dental visits allow your dentist to catch issues such as cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer in their early stages when they are easier to treat.

Better Overall Health: Poor oral health has been linked to various health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues. Preventative care helps reduce the risk of these complications.

Cost Savings: Preventing dental issues is often much cheaper than treating problems once they arise. Preventative care reduces the need for costly procedures such as fillings, crowns, or root canals.

Long-term Protection: Preventative care keeps your teeth healthy, reducing the risk of tooth loss and maintaining your natural smile.

What are the Risks of Preventative Dental Care?

Preventative dental care poses minimal risk, as it is non-invasive and designed to maintain oral health. However, some risks include:

Fluoride Sensitivity: Some patients may experience sensitivity to fluoride treatments, though this is rare.

X-ray Exposure: Although dental X-rays involve a small amount of radiation, they are generally considered safe and are used only when necessary.

How Long Does It Take to Feel Better After Preventative Dental Care?

Preventative dental procedures such as cleanings and exams do not typically require a recovery period. You may experience slight sensitivity after fluoride treatments or deep cleaning, but this usually subsides within a day or two.

Foods to Avoid After Preventative Dental Care

After receiving a fluoride treatment, it's recommended to avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes to allow the fluoride to fully absorb into your teeth. Additionally, avoid sticky or hard foods that could damage your teeth, especially if you've had a sealant applied.

Is Preventative Dental Care Permanent?

Preventative dental care is an ongoing process, rather than a one-time fix. Regular check-ups, cleanings, and at-home care must be consistently maintained to ensure long-lasting oral health. While individual treatments like sealants or fluoride applications can offer long-term protection, they are not permanent solutions and may need to be reapplied or supplemented over time.

What’s the Most Common Alternative to Preventative Dental Care?

There is no true alternative to preventative dental care. However, reactive dental care—where problems are treated only after they occur—is another approach. This method often leads to more invasive and costly treatments such as fillings, root canals, or extractions. Reactive care cannot provide the same benefits of long-term protection and cost-efficiency as preventative care.

Conclusion:

Preventative dental care is essential for maintaining good oral health and preventing costly, painful dental problems in the future. With regular check-ups, professional cleanings, and a diligent at-home oral hygiene routine, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy and enjoy a brighter smile for years to come. At My Scottsdale Dentist, we offer comprehensive preventative care services tailored to your unique needs. Schedule an appointment with us today to protect your oral health and keep your smile in top condition!

[avituses]

Save me toxic old man yaoi

Comic dialogue stolen blatantly from a reddit comment that I sadly couldn't find again

[meziniart]

Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves