An essential part of maintaining overall health is caring for your oral health as well. Deep decay, cavities, gum disease, and other varieties of dental issues are the primary reasons behind tooth loss and damage.
If you are routinely brushing and flossing your teeth, your chances of being affected by severe oral conditions are significantly reduced for the future. Cleaning your teeth regularly despite being essential is quite challenging because removing food particles trapped between the molars is difficult not just for adults but also for children. Children find it challenging to access their challenging to reach areas with the grooves on their teeth, making teeth sealants a suitable option for them.
Pediatric dentists offering preventive care often recommend using dental sealants to protect the surface of the enamel from decay and plaque.
Dental Sealants are thin coatings of plastic painted on the chewing surfaces like the grooves of molars and premolars. All pediatric dentists offering preventive care can provide dental sealants near you if your child needs them. It is a useful precautionary measure against dental cavities and decay. Dental sealants are recommended for children because it makes it easier for them to maintain excellent oral hygiene.
Getting dental sealants is easier than you believe because it requires no longer than 10 to 15 minutes for the pediatric dentist to complete the process. The application of the sealants provides children with the best protection needed against stains, cavities, and decay.
The most significant reason for children to get dental sealants is to avoid dental caries and tooth decay. It can be argued that fluoride in toothpaste and tap water protects the smoother surfaces of the teeth. However, the back teeth of the molars need additional protection. Sealants are applied as a cover on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to keep out germs and food particles.
Children with sealants on their teeth before any decay occurs can save you time and money in the long run by avoiding the need for fillings and crowns to repair decayed teeth.
The back teeth have chewing surfaces that are rough and uneven because of pits and grooves over them. Food particles and germs can get trapped in the pits and grooves and remain there for a long time because bristles from a toothbrush cannot eliminate them. The bacteria in the mouth use the sugar in the foods and beverages to make acids. Over time create a cavity in the tooth.
The procedure for getting sealants is straightforward and simple, and your child needs to sit still for approximately 15 minutes. The pediatric dentist offering the treatment will initially clean the tooth and dry it with cotton to ensure it remains dry. He or she then applies a solution on the tooth to etch the surface. The etching makes it easier for the sealant to adhere to a slightly rough surface.
The tooth is again rinsed and dried, and fresh cotton is put around it to ensure it remains dry. This is the stage when your child needs to stay still and help the dentist to complete the process efficiently. Finally, the sealant, which is in liquid form, is applied to the tooth and hardens within a few seconds. The procedure for getting sealants ends with the final application. Your child can continue eating or drinking immediately after the sealants have been applied.
Studies have suggested that the application of dental sealants is an excellent way to prevent cavities in children, although some dentists also recommend dental sealants for adults. People at risk of dental caries and tooth decay can consider getting dental sealants just like children as a preventive measure against cavities. Sealants are a considerable precautionary measure because they seal the pits and fissures of the teeth and also strengthen them along with the gums. If you are concerned by tooth sensitivity, you can discuss the issue with your dentist, who may recommend a sealant for sensitive teeth.
Children with dental sealants and aged between five and 10 are less likely to suffer from tooth decay, unlike children without sealants who are susceptible to this issue. Many debates have been raging about the safety aspects of dental sealants, with some claiming that the levels of BPA contained in sealants are harmful to humans. However, no conclusive evidence is available to this date to confirm that dental sealants are toxic or have caused any harm over the last four decades. On the contrary, they have helped prevent cavities among children as well as adults and are forming the backbone of excellent preventive oral care. Consult our dentist in Worcester at Tatnuck Family Dental Care for a better understanding