Oral Health and Glenn County

Cavities are still one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood.

• More than 1/3 of children in Glenn County have untreated decay.
• 28.9% of adults have unfilled cavities and 44.7% have a tooth pulled due to a cavity.
• In 2017, there were a total of 102 visits to Glenn Medical ER for tooth-related pain.

Oral health is important for overall health and well-being. Having good oral health includes the presence of healthy gums, teeth, tongue, as well as the ability to speak, chew, and smile!

Get the care you need; find a dentist near you.

Medi-Cal Dental Program (Denti-Cal) Resource List 

Fluoride

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can help prevent tooth decay (cavities). Using small amounts of fluoride prevents tooth decay and can be found as active ingredients in many dental products, such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, gels, and varnish. 

Fluoride varnish is a dental treatment that can help prevent and slow tooth decay. It works by strengthening the tooth enamel, which is the outer coating of your teeth.

Fluoride varnish is painted on each tooth with a small brush and hardens when it comes in contact with saliva. This can be applied 2-4 times a year, by your dental provider or a pediatrician.

What are the benefits?

Tooth decay begins when the outer layer of a tooth loses some of its minerals due to acid produced by bacteria in dental plaque breaking down the sugars we eat. Fluoride protects teeth by helping to prevent the loss of these minerals and by restoring them with a fluoride-containing mineral that is more resistant to acid attacks.

Water Fluoridation

Water fluoridation is the controlled adjustment of the natural fluoride concentration in community water supplies to the concentration recommended for optimal dental health. Fluoridation helps prevent tooth decay in children and adults.

Water fluoridation is an important factor in helping prevent cavities by 25% in both children and adults.

• They lessen dental pain
• Less fillings and teeth pulled
• Less missed days of school and work
• Lessen the expense of dental treatments needed
• Saves communities and families money

Safety is a great concern that people have regarding fluoride in the water supply. When in reality millions of people have lived in areas where fluoride is found naturally in drinking water in concentrations as high or even higher than the optimal level recommended to prevent tooth decay. Water fluoridation is safe, effective, and saves communities money while improving oral health for everyone in the area. Although Glenn County does not have fluoridated water at this moment, it is vital to have the information and begin conversations within the community and its leaders.

Learn how Community Water Fluorination prevents tooth decay in both children and adults:

Sealants

What are sealants?

Sealants are thin coatings that when painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth can prevent cavities for many years. Applying sealants is quick and only takes one dental visit.  After cleaning the tooth, the sealant is applied and then it is hardened with a special light. Your child will be able to eat right after the appointment.

Oral Health Coalition

The Glenn County Coalition is a partnership between the Glenn County Oral Health Program and representatives of local organizations and other key stakeholders in the community. Together we identified five overarching goals for our local oral health improvement plan. 1) better oral health, 2) greater utilization of services, 3) an informed public, 4) an engaged provider community, 5) a thriving oral health coalition.

The Coalition meets quarterly from 12:00pm-1:30pm on the last Wednesday of the months of February, April, August, and November. Please email OralhealthCoalition@countyofglenn.net  for meeting information.

Together we can increase the capacity of our local oral health resources, provide much-needed services to the members of our community and thereby improve the overall health and well-being of those we serve.