There are many ways to help your child reduce the chance of developing cavities and tooth decay. Developing regular habits of tooth brushing, eating a healthy diet, flossing, and using mouthwash are all important in helping your child develop lifelong oral health. However, due to their young age, it can be hard to maintain healthy teeth even when following best practices.
For this reason, pediatric dentists often recommend dental sealants for young children. Dental sealants can be applied after a young child has their molars to help prevent tooth decay and cavities. Keep reading to learn more about dental sealants and how this treatment can help your child prevent tooth decay.
WHAT ARE DENTAL SEALANTS?
Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings applied to tooth enamel to smooth and reduce bumps and grooves. Dental sealants can be made of dental resins, plastic, or ceramic. They are a safe and effective treatment to protect the chewing surface of teeth from cavities.
BENEFITS OF DENTAL SEALANTS
The shape of teeth naturally has bumps and grooves of different depths and shapes along the surface, especially molars. Most of the time, a toothbrush can effectively reach into all the crevices or grooves in a tooth to clean the surface. However, some teeth have deeper grooves that are difficult for toothbrushes to clean effectively, causing teeth to be at a higher risk for cavities.
Every time sugary foods are eaten, teeth are susceptible to the acids in the food causing an erosive action that breaks down healthy enamel. By covering and protecting your teeth from acids produced by food particles and bacteria, dental sealants act as a barrier to effectively reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Dental sealants can prevent cavities by approximately 80% for 2 years after application and 50% over the next 4 years.
WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER DENTAL SEALANTS FOR YOUR CHILD?
Dental sealants are recommended for children at the time their permanent molars come in, usually between the ages of 6 and 14. The first permanent molars, often referred to as “6-year molars”, come in between the ages of 5 and 7. The second permanent molars, “12-year molars”, come in when a child is between 11 and 14 years old.
At Greater Houston Pediatric Dentistry, we offer BPA-free dental sealants to help protect molars. When your child’s permanent molars erupt, your Greater Houston pediatric dentist will discuss dental sealants as a treatment option. Our dentists will evaluate your child for preventative treatment at their regular dental visit. Make sure to keep regular bi-annual appointments so that the dentist can evaluate your child’s oral health.
SHOULD INFANTS OR TODDLERS HAVE DENTAL SEALANTS?
Babies can also have sealants painted over their teeth. If the child’s teeth have deep grooves, pits, and fissures, the dentist may recommend sealants to protect against dental caries in primary teeth. Sealants can be recommended to prevent early tooth loss for babies with a higher risk of tooth decay.
ARE DENTAL SEALANTS RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?
Consult our pediatric dentist for individual assessment of your child’s teeth to learn if dental sealants are suitable for your child’s needs. If any issues restrict your child from getting sealants, the dentist may discuss alternative, preventative treatment options to help keep your child’s teeth healthy and cavity-free.
Preventative dental care at Greater Houston Pediatric Dentistry helps children avoid potential dental and oral health conditions and protects against more serious conditions (and potentially more expensive treatments!) before they develop.
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