Ask a Family Dentist: Are Dental Sealants a Good Preventative Measure Against Decay?

Dental sealants can help you or your children to avoid tooth decay. If your children are still learning how to care for their teeth, then dental sealants can add some protection. If your teeth decay often, then you might want to consider sealants as well. Keep reading to learn more about this type of preventative measure, as well as other methods of cavity prevention.

What is a dental sealant?

Dental sealants are coatings that are similar to plastic. These coatings will go on the chewing surface of the child’s back teeth. The sealants will then harden and form a barrier over the teeth. The sealants can prevent cavities from forming.

It is not complicated for a dentist to apply sealants for a child. However, children will feel more comfortable about the procedure if they know what will go on. First, the teeth will be both cleaned and dried. This will prevent any plaque from becoming trapped against the teeth. Then a solution will be applied that will roughen the teeth’s surface. This allows the sealant to go on better and be more likely to stick properly.

After this solution has been applied, the liquid sealant will move over every groove in the teeth. It will harden up in a few minutes. Sometimes, a curing light can be used to help speed up the process. Once this step is done, the patient will be ready to go home. It can last for up to a decade. If necessary, the patient can get another application.

When to get dental sealants

Children will want to get sealants as soon as the permanent molars come in. This might be around the ages of five or seven. Once more molars come in around age 11 to 12, the child might get sealants again. Teenagers and adults can also get sealants. This can help people who are more likely to get cavities.

The baby teeth might need to get sealants if there are deep grooves in them. These can decay more because food gets trapped in them. It is important to keep the baby teeth in place until the teeth come out naturally. These teeth can help with speech development, as well as a child’s self-esteem.

Are there other protective measures?

Dental sealants are not the only way to prevent cavities. Patients will also want to brush twice a day and floss once a day. Using fluoride is important for children. A lot of water has fluoride in it, which children should be drinking. Sometimes, a fluoride treatment can be done for children as well. This helps to remineralize the teeth and strengthen them.

Choose dental sealants today

When it comes to cavity protection, sealants can go a long way. With the right oral care, you can help your child avoid cavities. That will help them to have a healthier smile. If you are interested in dental sealants for you or your child, making an appointment is the first step.

Request an appointment here: http://www.gardendentalartsny.com or call Garden Dental Arts at (718) 416-6367 for an appointment in our Brooklyn office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.