What is Pulpotomy?

A pulpotomy is a dental treatment performed when deep decay has reached the pulp of the tooth.  The treatment is usually performed to save the tooth from being extracted. Extracting a baby tooth before it is ready to exfoliate (fall out) can affect the way the permanent teeth come in and may cause problems with the child’s occlusion (bite) in the future.

After a pulpotomy procedure is completed the baby tooth can be restored with a filling or a crown.  The most common type of crown restoration is a stainless steel crown and it is the least expensive. 

Parents play an important role in early detection of decay.  If you suspect that your child may have tooth decay, call Dr. Anna Lee for an examination. 

Remember early diagnosis and regular dental check-ups will prevent oral health complications.  Don’t wait; call today 626-335-5114, for a dental check-up.

What are Sealants?

When your child visits the dentist for their regular check-up you may hear the word sealants. Don’t panic, this is a dental procedure that the dentist is recommending for their own health. Sealants can help to keep your child’s smile as healthy as possible.  They keep bacteria away from deep ridges in the teeth that hold onto the food they are consuming.  Dr. Anna Lee and her team suggest that children get sealants in order to decrease their chances of decay.

Sealants are a clear or tinted plastic protective coating applied on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars to prevent cavities.  Molars and premolars have grooves and crevices and food can get stuck on or in these surfaces.  Sealants are applied to ‘seal’ the grooves and crevices so that food cannot get into them to cause cavities.

The longer that food is able to stay on the surface of the teeth the more likely it is to negatively impact the surface of the teeth and create a cavity. Once a cavity is forming the only way to take care of the problem is to remove the cavity. Depending on the size of the cavity will depend on the pain and the cost of the procedure. That’s why sealants are so beneficial and recommended, especially for children who sometimes have more difficulty brushing well.

For more information on sealants contact Dr. Anna Lee & her team today.

Healthy Eating for Older Children

The food that an older child consumes is critical, not only in developing life long habits, but also for the overall health of their teeth. Providing healthy snacks for your child can ensure they get the nutrients they need without the junk they don’t. Here are five tips from Dr. Anna Lee on how you can help.

·      Recent research shows that cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for children’s teeth.  Cheddar, Swiss and mozzarella cheeses stimulate the salivary gland to produce saliva and lessens the effects of acids attacking the teeth and causing tooth decay.

·      Avoid frequent snacking on sweets and sweet beverages between meals.

·      Serve snacks and meals that satisfy a child’s need for different types of foods-crunchy, soft, chewy, smooth, sweet, sour, bland and others

·      Offer snacks at regular times, such as mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Don’t let children snack throughout the day.

·      When shopping, allow the children help pick out fruits, vegetables and cheeses.  They will be more interested in eating them.

For more information on which foods are great for your child’s teeth contact Dr. Lee and her team today.