Why Does Your Child Need Dental Sealants?
Most parents may often wonder whether dental sealants are effective for their children in keeping cavities at bay. In addition, some parents may not realize the major role of bonds in preventing cavities among school-age children.
This preventive dentistry procedure offers your child the protection they need from cavities. If you are considering dental sealants near you, contact Big Smiles Pediatric Dentistry so that we can schedule your appointment with our pediatric dentist in Milford, CT.
What are Sealants?
Dental sealants are a protective coating placed on your child’s teeth. While eating, bacteria and food particles can settle in the pits between your teeth. Moreover, regular brushing and flossing don’t completely remove the food debris that enhances the build-up of plaque that harbor harmful bacteria, which causes cavities.
Dental sealants work by covering the pits and grooves of teeth; this prevents food particles from getting trapped and causing cavities.
Dental sealants for children are often recommended after their permanent teeth have erupted. In rare cases, dental sealants can be done on baby teeth, but generally, this sealant is suitable for cavities-prone ages, between 6-14 years. It would be best if you considered getting dental sealants near you as soon as your child’s permanent teeth erupt to prevent any possible tooth decay.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Our experienced pediatric dentist in Milford, CT, will first clean your child’s teeth, removing all debris and harmful bacteria during your appointment. After a thorough cleaning of the teeth, a special acid is applied to roughen the teeth; the sealant liquid is then applied and hardened using a special light, creating a strong protective coating on the teeth.
Applying dental sealant to your child’s teeth is painless, quick, and noninvasive. They don’t hurt, and once sealed, you won’t notice them as they are customized to match the shade of surrounding teeth. Therefore, they will not change the appearance of your child’s smile, nor will they attract attention when your child is talking.
Dental sealants in Milford, CT are also not toxic for your child; they have no side effects and contain minimal levels of BPA that won’t harm your 6year old.
Once a dental sealant is in place, your chances of developing cavities are greatly reduced, and with proper care and regular visits to our pediatric dentist, you can look forward to years of protection with your new sealant.
Signs that May Determine the Need for Sealants for your Kid
Sometimes, factors beyond our control may create the need for your child to get dental sealants. Below are some of the reasons you should consider dental sealants near you for children.
- Presence of deep grooves and pits in the molars and premolars- Deep pits and grooves in the adult back molars aid in grinding and chewing food but are also prone to cavities. These pits and grooves easily trap food particles, and brushing doesn’t completely clean all the particles. In addition, the accumulation of plaque leads to the build-up of bacteria and the formation of cavities, so when your child’s teeth have particularly deep pits and grooves, a sealant may be recommended as a preventive measure.
- History of Cavities- in some cases, your child may have an account of dental caries; if that’s the case, your pediatric dentist may recommend dental sealants, which are vital in protecting against potential cavities.
- Thin Enamel- due to genetic factors, your child’s teeth may develop a thin enamel. Unfortunately, delicate enamels are easily eroded by bacteria leading to cavities; that’s why dental sealants are crucial in keeping their teeth healthy by providing additional protection.
However, it’s not required that your child has these conditions to get sealants; they are also recommended for maintaining good dental health, even with healthy teeth.
Note that the dental sealant used for your child is only a preventive measure to protect the health of their teeth from early childhood cavities. Moreover, parents should always help their children cultivate good habits that maintain their child’s oral health. These include establishing the habit of brushing twice a day with recommended toothpaste, teaching children how to floss as they grow up, promoting a balanced diet, and reducing sugar intake.
Cavities may affect your child’s oral health, from bad mouth odor to toothaches and bad smiles. That’s why our dental sealants in Milford, CT offer protection against potential cavities, thereby keeping your child’s teeth healthy. So kindly contact us today to schedule an appointment with our pediatric dentistry near you.