Benefits of Dental Sealants
Every parent knows how important it is to establish oral hygiene habits at home when children are still quite young. But what happens when cavities show up despite avid brushing? Unfortunately, it is possible due to narrow grooves and pits located on back molars. If a significant amount of plaque builds up in these fine spaces, harmful cavities will form. Dental sealants from our Grandville, MI, pediatric dentists can prevent this.
Keep reading to learn more about what dental sealants are and how they can benefit your child in the long run.
What Are Dental Sealants?
are best explained as thin coatings of composite resin that are painted or brushed onto a patient’s molars. The entire procedure is painless, and your child should not experience any discomfort afterward.
Because of how well sealants act as a shield against cavities, many dentists, including ours, recommend they be placed on molars once they fully erupt. We’ll keep an eye on your child’s dental development each time they come in for a teeth cleaning and make the suggestion once the time is right for optimal prevention.
The Procedure
Before sealants can be applied, each tooth will need to be cleaned and dried. An acidic gel will then help roughen up the tooth surface so a strong bond can form between the tooth and the sealant.
Our dentists will leave the gel on for a few seconds before rinsing it off, drying the tooth again, and applying the sealant. The magic happens when a special blue light is used to harden the sealant. This forms a firm barrier that food particles, bacteria, and acids are not able to cross.
Overall, Dental Sealants Help:
1. Protect Hard to Reach Areas
Because the pits or grooves on molars are so narrow, the bristles of a toothbrush are often unable to reach inside to clean. Even if your child brushes their teeth thoroughly at least twice a day, they still may be at risk for cavities.
Related Post → 3 Ways to Tell If Your Child Has a Cavity
Sealants accomplish what toothbrushes can’t by acting as an invisible shield that covers the entire chewing surface of a tooth. As long as the sealant itself remains intact, the tooth it is covering will avoid decay.
2. Provide Long-Lasting Cavity Prevention
One of the many is their lifespan. If your child continues to take good care of their teeth after application, they can last up to 10 years.
Sealants hold up very well under the force of normal chewing which is why several years can pass before they become less effective. If our pediatric dentists notice that your child’s sealants have worn down, they can reapply them to extend the cavity protection.
Think about it this way: the can prevent cavities and are much less expensive than dental fillings. Your child will thank you later!
3. Stop Early Stages of Tooth Decay
Dental sealants prevent cavities from forming in the first place. But did you know they can also be placed over areas exhibiting ?
Related Post → The Dangers of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Yes, sealants also work to stop existing decay from worsening. Should early decay arise during a checkup, our dentists will discuss the use of sealants with you. If applied, they will monitor the tooth in question over time and the clear nature of sealants allows them to easily do this.
Have More Questions?
Dental care for your child can seem intimidating to navigate at times. Fortunately, our caring team of pediatric dentists in Grandville, MI, is here to help answer any questions you might have to ensure your child receives the best care. Request an appointment with us online or call Grandville Pediatric Dentistry at (616) 531-3430.
This blog post has been updated.