The cornerstone to a good oral hygiene regimen is proper brushing and flossing habits. For more on brushing and flossing, see our Brushing & Flossing page.
Tooth Decay Prevention
Tooth decay is a progressive disease resulting from the interaction of bacteria that 
naturally occur on the teeth with sugars in the everyday diet. Sugar causes a reaction in the bacteria, producing acids that break down the enamel in teeth, forming a cavity. Dentists remove the decay and fill the tooth using a variety of restorative materials, returning the tooth to a healthy state. Severe decay may cause nerve damage and sometimes associated pain. A crown may be required for severely damaged teeth (a crown is like a large filling that can cap a tooth, making it stronger and more resistant to breakage). Avoiding unnecessary decay requires strict adherence to a dental hygiene regimen: brushing and flossing twice a day, regular dental check-ups, diet control and topical fluoride application. Good daily oral hygiene practices reap huge benefits in healthy teeth and reduced treatment costs.
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 crevices. 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. It is particularly important during the first 12 years of life, the formative years of your child's teeth. Children raised in a community with a fluoridated water supply exhibit a 40% reduction in tooth decay. Fluoridated drinking water is probably the most effective and cost efficient improvement to dental health in the past 100 years. We can evaluate the level of fluoride in your drinking water source and recommend fluoride supplements (usually in tablets or drops), if necessary.