[Closed] Quick trick my dentist shared to keep cavities away

My kid's dentist recommended these sealants a while back, and we went ahead with it too. Honestly, I was skeptical at first - like, is this really necessary or just another upsell? But it's been about two years now, and no cavities yet (knock on wood...). Does anyone know how often you need to get them reapplied though? Forgot to ask, and now I'm wondering if we're overdue.

We got them for our kids too, and honestly, I had the same thought at first - like, "Great, another thing to pay for that probably isn't necessary." But hey, three years later and still cavity-free here too (fingers crossed, knocking on all available wood...). From what our dentist mentioned, they're supposed to last around 3-5 years, depending on how rough your kid is on their teeth. Apparently chewing ice or hard candies can wear them down faster - who knew?

Anyway, our dentist checks them at each regular cleaning, and she said she'll let us know when they're wearing thin. So if you're going in regularly, they'll probably give you a heads-up before it's time to reapply. I'd say you're probably good for another year or two, but definitely worth asking at the next appointment. Better safe than sorry, right?

We had sealants done for our kids too, and honestly, I was pretty skeptical at first - like, is this really necessary or just another upsell? But then I remembered my own childhood cavities (ugh, the drilling...) and figured better safe than sorry. Our dentist mentioned the ice-chewing thing too, and now I'm constantly reminding my kids to quit crunching ice cubes at dinner. Probably driving them nuts, but hey, it's working so far. I'd definitely keep an eye on it though - sealants aren't foolproof, and regular check-ups are key.

Interesting to hear your experiences. My dentist suggested sealants too, but I'm still researching it - mainly curious about how long they last and if there's any maintenance involved. Appreciate the heads-up about regular check-ups though, makes sense.

"mainly curious about how long they last and if there's any maintenance involved."

I've had sealants for years now, and honestly, they're pretty low-maintenance. My dentist mentioned they usually last around 5-10 years, but mine have been going strong for about 8 already with no issues. Just regular brushing and flossing does the trick - nothing special needed. Occasionally during check-ups, my dentist will glance over them to make sure they're intact, but that's about it. Definitely worth considering if you're prone to cavities like me... they've saved me a lot of hassle (and fillings).

I've had a similar experience actually. My dentist put sealants on my molars when I was younger, and they lasted a good 9 years or so before needing a touch-up. Honestly, I barely even noticed they were there most of the time. Maintenance-wise, it's pretty much what you're already doing - brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups. Mine eventually wore down a bit, but nothing major. My dentist just reapplied them quickly during a routine visit.

If you're worried about upkeep, don't stress too much. They're designed to be pretty hands-off. And speaking from experience, they've definitely saved me from extra fillings over the years. Totally worth it in my opinion, especially if your teeth are cavity magnets like mine were...

Yeah, sealants are pretty low-maintenance overall. Did your dentist mention anything about diet changes too? Limiting sugary snacks and acidic drinks can also make a huge difference in how long they last...just something else to consider.

Good point about diet - it's surprising how much those little habits add up over time. Did your dentist suggest anything specific to swap out sugary snacks? Sometimes small changes make it easier to stick with long-term...either way, sounds like you're on the right track!

Totally agree, diet tweaks can really sneak up on you over time. My dentist suggested swapping sugary snacks with crunchy veggies or cheese cubes - apparently cheese helps neutralize acids in your mouth? I was skeptical at first, but honestly, it's been an easy swap so far...

Interesting, isn't it? Cheese was one of the first swaps my kid's dentist recommended too. At first I thought she was just being overly cautious, but apparently there's solid science behind it. Did you find your cravings for sweets fading after a while, or is it still a conscious effort? My son's adjusted pretty well - though he still eyes the cookie jar occasionally... Glad it's working for you so far!

That's pretty neat advice about the cheese swap. I remember when my dentist first mentioned it, I thought she was joking - like, cheese instead of chocolate, seriously? But turns out she was onto something. I've noticed that after a couple weeks, my sweet tooth did calm down quite a bit. It's still there, lurking in the background...especially when someone brings donuts to the office (why do they always have to do that?).

Your son sounds like he's handling it pretty well, though. Kids are surprisingly adaptable sometimes. My niece switched to cheese sticks for snacks too, and now she actually prefers them. But yeah, every now and then I catch her giving the candy aisle at the store a longing glance, haha.

Glad it's working for your family overall. Small changes really do add up over time.

Cheese sticks are great, but honestly, they can get pricey if you're buying them all the time. I started cutting up blocks of cheddar or mozzarella myself - way cheaper and tastes just as good. My kids didn't even notice the difference. Still, donuts at work...that's a tough one. I swear my coworkers have radar for when I'm trying to eat healthier, lol.

Haha, totally feel you on the donut radar thing. Every single time I tell myself I'm gonna cut back on sugar, someone at work magically decides it's donut day. It's like they have a sixth sense or something...

Smart move with the cheese blocks, though. I've been doing the same thing for a while now - grab whatever's on sale and slice it up. Honestly, it's kinda satisfying knowing you're saving money and still getting something tasty. Plus, cheese is supposed to be good for your teeth, right? At least that's what my dentist keeps telling me. Apparently, eating cheese after sugary stuff helps protect your teeth from cavities. Not sure if it's just dentist propaganda, but hey, any excuse to eat more cheese works for me.

Now if only donuts had cavity-fighting powers... we'd be set.

Funny you mention cheese - I actually asked my dentist about that once. She confirmed it's legit, something about cheese neutralizing acids or whatever. I've been doing the cheese-after-sweets thing for years now... seems to be working so far, knock on wood.

That's interesting, I've heard something similar from my dentist too. She mentioned cheese briefly, but she was more into the whole rinsing-with-water-after-sweets thing. Personally, I've been doing both - cheese when it's handy, water when it's not. Can't say for sure which one's doing the heavy lifting, but my checkups have been pretty good lately.

Have you noticed any difference in sensitivity since you started the cheese habit? I used to get that annoying twinge after sugary stuff, but it seems less frequent now. Could be coincidence, I guess... or maybe there's really something to this cheese magic after all. Either way, if it works, I'm sticking with it.

I've noticed the sensitivity thing too, actually. Thought it was just me imagining stuff at first, but sugary snacks definitely don't trigger that annoying zing as much anymore. Cheese magic might be legit after all... or maybe it's just wishful thinking because cheese is delicious, lol. Either way, my dentist hasn't complained lately, so I'm gonna keep munching cheddar guilt-free. Have you tried different cheeses? Wonder if some work better than others.

"Cheese magic might be legit after all... or maybe it's just wishful thinking because cheese is delicious, lol."

Haha, I get the appeal (cheese lover here too!), but I'd be cautious about relying solely on cheese for dental health. I've read calcium-rich foods help somewhat, but they're not a substitute for regular brushing and flossing. Still, can't hurt to enjoy cheddar in moderation.

It's funny you mention cheese magic... my kid's dentist actually brought this up last visit, saying something about cheese helping neutralize acids or something? Honestly, as a parent, I'm always a bit anxious about relying on just one trick. But hey, if a little cheddar now and then gives us some peace of mind (and makes snacktime easier), I'm all for it. Just gotta remember it's probably not a replacement for brushing and flossing - sadly, lol.

Funny you bring this up, because my dentist mentioned something similar a while back. At first, I thought it sounded a bit too good to be true - like, cheese as a dental hack? But honestly, after dealing with my youngest's constant snack cravings (and the anxiety of cavities), I figured it couldn't hurt to try. Now we keep some cheese cubes handy in the fridge, and it's become our go-to snack after sugary treats or juice boxes.

Of course, like you said, it's definitely not replacing brushing or flossing anytime soon. But hey, if it helps even a little bit and makes snacktime less stressful... I'm all in. Plus, my kids think it's some kind of special treat now - little do they know it's actually parent-approved dental strategy in disguise, haha.