Conscientious parents help their young ones establish a good routine of tooth brushing, flossing, and dental visits. This establishes a foundation of proper dental care for life! Everyone can avoid constant or serious dental problems by using all the dental tools available to care for their teeth.
This is especially important for young children, as they are at a higher risk of developing cavities. They don’t yet have the agility to brush their teeth well, and the patience and attentiveness necessary is often lacking too. Thankfully, dental sealants are a simple preventive treatment that significantly reduces the risk of cavities in primary and new secondary teeth.
Are Primary Teeth Prone to Cavities?
Even with excellent brushing habits, the chewing surfaces of back teeth are difficult to keep clean, at any age. Molars have deep grooves for efficient chewing, and food particles and bacteria often collect in these grooves. They are a perfect environment for cavity formation. In addition, primary teeth have weaker enamel that is especially vulnerable to decay. Also, a child’s saliva contains a lower concentration of minerals than adult saliva. That makes it harder to the primary tooth enamel to repair itself. Therefore, additional measures to protect the surfaces of a child’s tooth can make a lasting difference.
How do Dental Sealants Work?
Dental sealants are essentially an invisible force field for teeth. They are a thin, tooth-colored liquid coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Once bonded to the tooth, this coating prevents food and bacteria from settling into the natural grooves and crevices of the tooth, reducing the risk of cavity formation.
Sealants are effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that sealants reduce the risk of cavities in molars by up to 80%. That’s a huge benefit and makes sealants a valuable tool in preventive dental care for children. Therefore, most dentists recommend pediatric dental sealants for children as soon as their permanent molars begin to erupt, usually around age 6 to 7.
Dental Sealants are Quick and Cost-Effective
The dental sealant procedure is pain-free process that takes just a few minutes per tooth.
Here are the simple steps:
- Clean and prepare the surface of the tooth to ensure a strong bond with the sealant material.
- Apply the liquid sealant to the surface of the tooth.
- Use a special blue LED curing light to harden the sealant.
- Check your child’s bite to ensure continuing comfort.
Sealants require no drilling or injections and are typically covered by most dental insurance companies. (Preventing cavities saves you and the insurance company money and time!) With proper care and monitoring during routine dental exams, dental sealants protect teeth for many years. But are dental sealants just for kids?
Are Dental Sealants Only for Children?
While dental sealants are usually recommended for children and teenagers, adults with healthy teeth that have deep grooves may also benefit from sealants if they are at higher risk for cavities. If you have had problems with dental decay in the past, sealants may be a good choice for you. Your dentist in Folsom can determine whether sealants are the right option for you or your child during a regular dental examination.
Maintain a Healthy Smile with Sealants!
Pediatric preventive dentistry is one of the best ways to keep your child’s smile healthy for years to come. At Lakeside Dental, we’re committed to helping patients of all ages prevent cavities and protect their smiles with personalized preventive care, including dental sealants. If you have questions about dental sealants for you or your child, contact our friendly dental team in Folsom to schedule an appointment today.
