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Molars are made up of canyons, caves, pits, and seemingly endless caverns that are a breeding ground for decay. The protective solution is a sealant. When done correctly, a sealant from Dr. Maryam Azadpur of Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry can be most effective in preventing cavities.

A sealant is made up of composite (a plastic-like) material that contains bonding agents to seal to the edge of the tooth. Sealants placed on the chewing surfaces of back teeth block food from being trapped. The process in which a sealant is placed is quite precise and painless.

First the tooth is cleaned with a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) spray. Then an acid etch is applied to “roughen up” the surface. No saliva is to touch the tooth. This will re-mineralize the area, then a repeat etching is needed. An alcohol-based liquid then dries out the area and it must remain completely dry. The sealant is placed and guided through all the caverns, pits, fissures, and grooves. It is then cured with a special light, which makes it a hard, plastic-like material.

Sealants can last for several years. It is wise to have them examined on a semi-annual basis. If there is a break in the sealant, a high risk for decay is common. If a sealant is damaged, repair is simple, painless, and quick to complete.

Who can benefit from sealants? Anyone! Children often receive sealants as routine preventive care. Adults with deep canyons with stained grooves on their teeth can also benefit from a sealant. The process is quick, painless, and does not require any anesthesia. It is an effective way to lower dental restorative costs.

An investment in dental sealants can reap great benefits as properly cared for teeth will remain cavity free. Our Simsbury, CT location is available to answer your questions so give us a call today!

Because babies’ teeth don’t appear until around six to eight months of age, it’s a natural misconception that they don’t need dental care. But the steps you take as the parent of an infant can help your baby maintain good oral health and develop healthy dental habits in the future.

It’s easy to take care of a baby’s teeth and gums, especially when oral hygiene for your infant becomes part of the normal daily routine. Learn more about how you can promote good dental health for your baby with these tips and considerations.

Taking Care of Baby’s Oral Hygiene

• Dental Hygiene for Birth to Six Months. Cleaning your infant’s gums is as important as cleaning teeth will be later. Hold your baby in your arms, and with a clean, moistened washcloth wrapped around your index finger, gently massage his or her gums.
• Dental Hygiene for Six to 12 Months. After teeth begin to appear, it’s time to switch to a soft, children’s toothbrush for teeth cleaning. New research has shown that fluoride toothpaste is safe and recommended for use once your baby’s first tooth arrives. Gently brush your baby’s teeth after each feeding, in the morning, and before bedtime, just as you did before teeth appeared.
• Good Bedtime Habits. One of the most important things you can do to protect your infant from tooth decay is to avoid the habit of putting baby to bed with a bottle. Use other soothing bedtime activities, such as rocking and lullabies, to help your baby drift off to sleep.
• A Note about Dental Decay. Many people are unaware that dental decay is transmissible. Avoid placing your baby’s bottle, sippy cup, or pacifier in your own mouth to test the temperature. Likewise, don’t share utensils with your baby.

Partner With Your Dentist

Your baby should receive his or her first dental health checkup by the age of six months. Even though your infant may not have teeth yet, Dr. Maryam Azadpur can assess the risk your baby might face for oral diseases that affect hard or soft tissues. Dr. Maryam Azadpur can also provide you with instructions for infant oral hygiene, and explain what steps to add as your baby grows and develops.

Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry is your partner for good oral health, and we’re here to make caring for your baby’s dental hygiene and health easier and more enjoyable for you.

Summer greetings from Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry!

There’s nothing quite like summer in Connecticut. We are lucky to be surrounded by so many lovely trails and parks to explore. Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury is a local favorite. It offers swimming (when permitted) and picnicking plus free parking for CT residents. It is also very close to Tulmeadow Farm, which features delicious homemade ice cream. A few other great spots to check out are Roaring Brook Nature Center in Avon and Winding Trails in Farmington, which are both good spots to take children. Remember to check with them before heading out regarding any new protocols and/or hours.

Though life is now guided by health and safety protocols, there are still many summertime activities you can do while social distancing! On a warm day, you can find our team biking, swimming, hiking, gardening, enjoying an outdoor nighttime movie, going for day trips around the state, grilling up a yummy meal, and eating s’mores around a fire.

Sometimes it’s just too hot to cook and stand over a stove on a warm day. A meal that requires minimal effort is key. Ordering takeout always works, or if you want to make something at home, try some summer classics like corn on the cob, kabobs, or summer salads. Shari has a simple summer salad recipe for you to try. All it takes are some mixed greens, strawberries, blueberries, goat cheese, candied walnuts, and poppy seed dressing. You can switch out almost anything for the fruits or dressings you like. Shari recommends using an egg slicer for the strawberries to make it even easier!

Back at the office, our full schedule each day means we are contributing to the health and wellbeing of our community. We heard many heartwarming stories recently of how neighbors are helping each other, especially after the recent hurricane that blew through the area. We truly are all in this together.

Who couldn’t use some new tech these days? Our third quarter Review/Referral promotion kicked off this month and we are giving away $500 to the Apple Store! Want a chance to win? Write a review of our practice on Facebook, Yelp, Google, or our website, and get 1 entry into the drawing. Refer a friend and get 2 entries. It’s just that easy! Drawing will be held on October 1, 2020.

A huge thank you to our patients for their patience while we work to get over 700 appointments rescheduled. There are still lots more to take care of though. If you have a previously scheduled appointment and haven't been contacted about it, it will most likely mean that it needs to be rescheduled. Give us a call at 860-658-7548 to verify. Please DO NOT come into the office if you have not spoken with one of our team members directly.

Here is a picture of Kay, one of our fabulous hygienists getting ready to greet her patients. She has a lot more PPE to put on before seeing them though.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Halitosis is the scientific name for bad breath. It is one of the most common oral concerns, and it affects a large percentage of the population, including children. Having bad breath can be embarrassing and a nuisance. When considering what to do about halitosis, the team at Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry highlights that you need to focus on the cause, rather than just masking the problem.

Children commonly have bad breath because of an upper respiratory infection. This includes a common cold, postnasal drip, or allergies. When this is the case, treatment may be complicated if one or more of these issues is chronic.

Another cause of halitosis in children is a condition with their teeth or gums. Just as in adults, gum disease has a distinctive malodor. The quality of brushing and flossing in children directly influences the presence of gum disease. If there is a large untreated cavity, there will be a strong smell causing bad breath. Both of these issues need professional attention, including a visit to the dentist.

Tonsillitis can also cause halitosis in children. It happens because of a constricted airway, resulting in mouth breathing. Mouth breathing is a concern because of how much it dries the tissue in the mouth. This makes any bacterial infection in the mouth worse and causes an increased potency within the bacteria in the mouth.

Treatment of halitosis is as varied as the causes listed above. Beware of ingredients in products that mask bad breath. Sucking on a mint on a regular basis will cause more harm than good because of potential decay. Chew sugarless gum and mints.

If you have any other questions, feel free to call us at Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry or ask Dr. Maryam Azadpur during your next appointment!