Dental Sealants for Children

Dental sealants dayton oh are a quick and painless way to help prevent decay in the premolars and molars of children’s teeth. it can be hard for children to reach the back teeth when brushing and flossing and dental sealants help protect their teeth from developing plaque buildup and bacteria which can cause decay.

Dental sealants are a hard plastic coating that is applied to the occlusal (chewing) surface of the posterior teeth. This is typically done right after a professional dental cleaning and only takes a few minutes. No anesthesia is required so as soon as you do your child is done, there is no wait time before eating or drinking. You can have dental sealants placed on your child’s teeth as soon as their adult teeth erupt through the gums.

When you take your child and for their routine professional hygiene appointment, The hygienist will thoroughly clean their teeth. Once that has been completed, the hygienist or dentist will dry the teeth to receive the sealants and apply an acidic etching solution which roughens the enamel surface of the teeth. this gives the plastic sealant something to adhere to and stay put! Once the etching has done its job, it is rinsed away and the tooth is re-dried. The sealant is then brushed onto the surface in a liquid form. An ultraviolet light is then held to the tooth to cure this sealant solution, creating a hard protective plastic.

Children can sometimes have a hard time brushing their teeth as well as they should, especially in the back. The molars and premolars of their back teeth have fissures and grooves that are necessary for chewing. These are great spots for bacteria to accumulate and cause decay. The dental sealants help protect those areas from the buildup of plaque-causing bacteria.

Dental sealants are a great tool to help prevent decay but they are no substitute for good oral hygiene. It is important to make sure your children know how to correctly brush and floss their teeth and that they do so regularly. If you need help instructing your child, their pediatric dentist and hygienist are there for you! You may also consider speaking with your dentist about integrating fluoride products into your child’s oral care routine. Since the sealants only cover the occlusal surface, the teeth have four more surfaces that need protection. Fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses can reach all surfaces of the teeth.

Along with healthy oral habits, making sure your children understand how foods affect their body and development will help as well. Making sure they have a good eating habits will keep them healthy and growing and hopefully, they will take healthy food habits and oral hygiene habits well into adulthood and you will no longer have to monitor them!

Dental sealants are a great way to help prevent decay. They can last up to 10 years and are easily replaced if necessary. Sealants do not need to be removed since they wear away on their own, so speak with your dentist to determine if dental sealants are treatment action that you should consider for your child!.

More on Dental Sealants : Dental Sealants for Adults