Prevention

Dr. Karpinski’s office is a preventative practice, not an emergency based practice. We believe in proactive dental care in order to avoid potential emergencies such as toothaches caused by decay, lost fillings or broken teeth.

Tooth Decay Prevention

Tooth decay is a progressive disease resulting in 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. 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 crown (a crown is like a large filling that can cap a tooth, making it stronger or covering it). Avoiding unnecessary decay simply requires strict adherence to a dental hygiene regimen: brushing and flossing twice a day, regular dental checkups, diet control and fluoride treatment. Practicing good hygiene avoids unhealthy teeth and costly treatment.

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. Dentists can evaluate the level of fluoride in a primary drinking water source and recommend fluoride supplements (usually in tablets or drops), if necessary.

Thumb Sucking

Sucking is a natural reflex that relaxes and comforts babies and toddlers. Children usually cease thumb sucking when the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Typically, children stop between the ages of 2 and 4 years. Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of primary teeth can cause improper growth of the mouth and misalignment of the teeth. If you notice prolonged and/or vigorous thumb sucking behavior in your child, talk to your dentist.

Here are some ways to help your child outgrow thumb sucking:

• Don’t scold a child when they exhibit thumb sucking behavior; instead, praise them when they don’t thumb suck.
• Focus on eliminating the cause of anxiety—thumb sucking is a comfort device that helps children cope with stress or discomfort.
• Praise them when they refrain from the habit during difficult periods.
• Place a bandage on the thumb or a sock on their hand at night.

Diagnodent Caries Detector

Our office uses the Diagnodent device. Diagnodent is a non-invasive tool which helps us detect decay at it’s earliest stages. It uses a laser that bounces off the tooth surface and registers a reading determining the density of the enamel. This is helpful in differentiating stain from decay, so that we can be more conservative and still ensure optimal dental health.

Vizilite Plus Oral Cancer Screening

Dr. Karpinski’s office is a Vizilite Certified Provider. This technology helps identify abnormal tissue that might develop into oral cancer. Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it is caught early. Risk factors that contribute to the development of oral cancer include past or present tobacco use, daily alcohol consumption, immune deficencies such as HIV & AIDS and the very prevalent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV 16/18). Find out more about this new technology and get a personal risk assessment at www.vizilite.com.

MI paste

Our office recommends and carries the MI paste product that restores minerals and helps you produce saliva. It is the only dental product with Recaldent (CPP-ACP), a special milk-derived protein that is a break through in oral health care in helping to remineralize teeth. If you answer YES to any of the following questions, MI Paste may be beneficial to you.

1. Are your teeth sensitive?
2. Do you drink soft drinks?
3. Do you wear braces?
4. Do you experience dry mouth?
5. Do you whiten/bleach your teeth?

Find out more about this product at www.mi-paste.com.