The Crucial Role Of Dental Sealants In Protecting Your Child's Teeth

Are you a parent who is proud that your child has never had any cavities? Perhaps you credit their healthy teeth to proper oral hygiene and ensuring that routine dental appointments are kept. Sealants are also an incredible option for ensuring that your child's perfect teeth remain that way.

How Sealants Protect Teeth

They protect the surfaces of teeth from decay. They can also be beneficial in protecting teeth from the harmful effects of acidic foods. Perhaps your child does not eat and drink sugary foods and beverages, and they may not consume acidic foods at this sheltered stage of their life. As they get older and make food and drink options on their own, they may choose these types of foods and drinks.

Why Sealing Molars is Sensible

The molars are teeth that dentists frequently see affected by tooth decay. This is because their primary purpose is to grind food when it is chewed, and sometimes food and bacteria get stuck in the grooves and fissures of molars during the process. Toothbrushing may not remove all of the particulate matter. This is why you may want to consider sealants on the molars even if you do not have all of your child's teeth protected by sealants.

What to Expect

Perhaps you have a misconception about the sealant procedure and think that it will cause unnecessary discomfort for your child. The process is painless, and not getting sealants could mean that your child has to experience an uncomfortable procedure such as fillings in the future.

First the teeth must be cleaned. Next a special gel is applied to the teeth followed by a rinse. Then the teeth are dried, and the sealant material is applied. The drying portion of the process is necessary to ensure that the sealant mixture adheres to teeth. The sealant mixture dries quickly, and the surface may also need to be cured by the dentist as a final measure. Sealants can remain intact for several years, and your child's dentist will check their integrity at their routine dental appointments.

A dentist is a good resource to use to discover more facts about sealants and how they help to protect precious teeth. Some insurance plans cover the cost of sealants because they view them as preventative care. Your child will still need to continue their excellent toothbrushing and flossing habits. Allowing them to use a fluoride-based toothpaste will offer additional cavity protection for their teeth that do not have sealants.