Should my child have a dental sealant placed?
It is critical that children learn the value of proper oral care at a young age. They should know how to floss and brush properly to avoid serious dental problems in the future. There are some things that parents can do to help their children maintain healthy teeth and gums and avoid tooth decay.
What exactly is a dental sealant?
A dental sealant is a protective coating that is applied to the surface of the teeth. They are referred to as "raincoats for your teeth" by the American Dental Association (ADA). Bacteria and food particles settle into pockets between your teeth when you eat. Flossing and brushing remove the bacteria that cause plaque buildup and cavities. However, bacteria can produce acids that cause holes in teeth, which are known as cavities.
A dental sealant acts as a barrier between teeth and harmful acids. Dental sealants have a lifespan of a decade or more, making them an excellent preventive measure for your child's oral health.
Should my child have a dental sealant placed?
Dental sealants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prevent 80% of cavities for up to two years after application. Sealants can also prevent 50% of cavities for up to four years. In fact, school-aged children are nearly three times more likely to develop cavities than children who have dental sealants.
Dental sealants are advised for your children once their permanent teeth have emerged. A dental sealant can be applied to baby teeth in some cases, but it is usually applied during the cavity-prone years, ages 6-14. You should also consider making an appointment with the paediatric dentist as soon as their permanent teeth appear to prevent decay or cavities.
Putting on a dental sealant
Our specialists work hard to ensure that our treatment plans are acceptable to everyone, from children to parents. Dental sealant procedures are virtually painless and take almost no time.
After cleaning the teeth, they are thoroughly dried with cotton or another material to remove any moisture. The doctor will then apply an acid solution to the surface of your child's teeth, creating a rough, textured surface that will allow the sealant to better bond to the teeth. After that, the teeth are rinsed and dried once more.
Finally, the dental sealant is applied to all of the teeth, where it bonds and hardens immediately. A special light is sometimes used to cure the treatment, ensuring that it sets quickly and completely.