The optimal approach to safeguarding your child’s teeth against decay and cultivating enduring oral hygiene practices is by exemplifying the significance of daily brushing and flossing. In addition, dental professionals also employ dental sealants as an extra layer of protection against the development of tooth decay.
Contact our local dental practice to discover more about this preventative option and determine whether it’s a good choice for your child.
What are Dental Sealants?
Thin, protective plastic coatings called dental sealants are a great dental treatment option. They are painted over the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. Dental sealants near you serve an important role in preventing cavities from forming, but they are not meant to replace regular brushing and flossing.
How Do Dental Sealants Work?
Sealants for the teeth do what they sound like they would do: they seal and protect the teeth. They are bonded to the back of your teeth and cover the pits and grooves in your molars and premolars.
Cleaning these teeth, especially for children, can be difficult because their grooves are often thinner than a single toothbrush bristle. In addition, plaque builds on the surface of the teeth if you don’t brush often and thoroughly, eventually becoming a cavity.
Dental sealants, once applied, create a smooth surface that keeps food out and your child’s teeth cavity-free, providing an extra layer of protection over these places that might be difficult to brush.
According to the CDA, dental sealants can be used to prevent further decay by covering up cavities in their early stages. Because of their transparency, dental sealants won’t prevent our dentist from seeing what’s happening on the inside of your teeth.
What’s a Good Age to Get Sealants?
It is recommended that children between the ages of 6-14 consider the use of dental sealants. According to the Canadian Dental Association, it is observed that the first molar typically emerges at the tender age of 6.
In contrast, the second molar tends to make its appearance around the age of 12. It is highly recommended by most dentists to promptly apply dental sealants to these emerging teeth in order to prevent the occurrence of cavities effectively.
If your child’s precious little teeth have deep grooves or pits, we, as dental professionals, may kindly suggest the application of dental sealants to protect and preserve their dental health. Sealants for adults are also considered safe for the teeth.
Sealants are commonly administered to young patients, although they can also be beneficial for adults who are susceptible to tooth decay or do not possess dental restorations. In order to avoid cavities, sealants are used.
According to the CDC, dental sealants can prevent 80 percent of molar cavities. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention showed that kids in school (ages 6–11) who don’t have dental sealants are around three times more likely to develop cavities in their first molars.
Preventing cavities in their early stages might save you money on fillings and crowns later on. Bisphenol A (BPA) is present in dental sealants but at safe levels that won’t harm your child or you.
What are the Benefits of Dental Sealants?
Dental sealant treatment is an important aspect of preventative dentistry since it benefits patients of all ages. One of the main advantages is that they are effective at preventing tooth decay by physically blocking bacteria and food particles from gathering in the deep grooves and pits on our teeth’ surface.
As a result, taking this preventative action can save you money on dental treatment without sacrificing effectiveness. Sealant application is also painless and non-invasive for both children and adults. They last a number of years and require little in the way of reapplication, improving overall oral health.
Thirdly, sealants don’t cause allergies or modify the look or feel of your teeth. You’ll still be able to brush, floss, and eat your favourite foods as you regularly wood.
Our Dentist Looks Forward to Seeing You
Dentus Family Dental wants you and your family to enjoy dental health care for years to come. Dentist in St. Albert offer many conveniences to make your appointment as comfortable and pleasurable as possible. If you or your child needs an exam or has questions about dental sealants, please pay a visit to our local dental practice!