Brushing, flossing, and regular dentist appointments will certainly go a long way toward protecting your child’s teeth against tooth decay. However, these habits will not make the teeth completely resistant to tooth decay. Dental sealants, however, can provide additional protection for your child’s teeth against cavities and decay.
What are Dental Sealants?
Sealants are a preventive treatment that can save your child’s teeth from the damage and pain and of decay. Sealants are plastic resin coatings applied to molars. They are molded to the grooves on the surface of the tooth and form a barrier between plaque-causing bacteria and the tooth’s enamel to prevent tooth decay. The dentist simply paints the sealants on the teeth and then hardens it using an ultraviolet light. The entire process just takes moments. Although sealants are often applied to children’s teeth, adults who want to prevent tooth decay can also benefit from them.
What Do Dental Sealants Look Like?
Dental sealants are invisible and only takes a few minutes to apply. Once they are applied, the can protect the teeth for up to a decade. No one can tell you have had sealants when you smile—they are invisible!
Why Children?
There are many advantages to choosing dental sealants for your child. Each time your child eats or drinks, bacteria form a biofilm called plaque develops on the surface of the teeth. If plaque is not removed quickly, you can start attacking tooth enamel and cause tooth decay. Because many children do not brush their teeth immediately after eating, and are often unable to completely remove plaque from teeth, sealants are usually a great option while good oral health habits are being established.
Sealants Save Money Too!
Dental sealants can mean preventing your child from losing a tooth to tooth decay or having to undergo fillings or root canals to restore decayed teeth. Dental sealants can help save on dental bills, as they avoid the need for these treatments. Best of all, most dental insurance covers sealants for children!
If you want to protect your child’s molars and premolars against decay by sealing the grooves and cracks that trap food chunks while protecting plaque tooth enamel and acid attack–there is a quick and painless option. This simple and easy measure saves teeth! We look forward to seeing you and your children at Shalimar Family Dentistry here in Tempe soon for a dental sealant application.
