Benefits of Dental Sealants for Kids
Let’s Talk Tooth Sealants: What are the Benefits of Sealing Your Child’s Teeth and When To Do It
When it comes to maintaining your child’s oral hygiene, nothing beats healthy habits. Regular tooth brushing, a healthy diet, flossing, and mouthwash are all important in helping your child develop lifelong oral health. However, due to their young age, it can be hard to maintain healthy teeth even when following best practices.
This is why pediatric dentists often recommend dental sealants for young children. If a young child has their molars, dental sealants can be applied to help prevent tooth decay and cavities. Keep reading to learn more about dental sealants and why this treatment is often highly recommended by pediatric dentists.
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are coatings applied to tooth enamel to smooth and reduce bumps and grooves. Dental sealants can be made of dental resins, plastic, or ceramic. They are a safe and effective treatment to protect teeth against decay.
What are the benefits of dental sealants?
Teeth have natural bumps and grooves of different depths and shapes, especially molars. Most of the time, a toothbrush can effectively reach into all the crevices or grooves in a tooth. However, some teeth have deeper grooves that are difficult for toothbrushes to clean effectively, putting those teeth at higher risk for cavities.
In addition, teeth are susceptible to a 20-minute acid attack every time sugary foods are eaten, causing an erosive action that can break down healthy enamel. By reducing hidden crevices and by covering and protecting your teeth from acids produced by food particles and bacteria, dental sealants effectively reduce the risk of tooth decay.
_______
The Center for Disease Control reports that having dental sealants can decrease tooth decay risk by approximately 80% for 2 years after application and 50% over the next 4 years.
_______
When to consider dental sealants for your child?
Although they can help patients of any age, dental sealants may be recommended for school-aged children at the time their molars come in. The first permanent molars, often referred to as “6-year molars”, come in between the ages of 5 and 7. The second permanent molars, “12-year molars”, come in when a child is between 11 and 14 years old. When your child’s molars begin to erupt, your child’s pediatric dentist may begin to discuss dental sealants as a treatment option. If your child has not regularly visited the dentist, Dr. Caple strongly recommends that you make an appointment with a pediatric dentist near you before decay begins to attack these permanent teeth.
Should infants or toddlers have dental sealants?
Babies can also have sealants painted over their teeth. If the child’s teeth have deep grooves, pits, and fissures, the dentist may recommend sealants to protect against dental caries in primary teeth. For babies with a higher risk of tooth decay, sealants can be recommended to prevent early tooth loss.
How do you know if dental sealants are right for your child?
Consult a pediatric dentist for individual assessment of your child’s teeth. The dentist will determine the need and suitability of sealants. If any issues restrict your child from getting sealants, the dentist may discuss alternative preventative treatment options to help keep your child’s teeth healthy and cavity-free.
If you are looking for a pediatric dentist in Northwest Arkansas who is experienced in diagnosing a child’s need for dental sealants, contact our office today. Dr. Caple’s pediatric dental clinic in Rogers, Arkansas, serves families across Northwest Arkansas. We are always accepting new patients, and look forward to partnering with you to help your child enjoy a lifetime of oral and dental health.