It is never too early to begin good oral health habits and dental treatments for your child. The easiest way to get started is by having a dentist or hygienist apply a thin protective coating called a sealant onto your child’s new adult teeth.
Sealants serve as a barrier against tooth decay, and they therefore help to maximize the results of good oral habits including regular dental cleaning, brushing, and flossing. Let’s talk about some of the benefits of sealants and who you can ask about this preventative treatment.
Watch our video all about sealants: https://youtu.be/dIKojPx7Unw
Sealants Fight Against Tooth Decay
Our permanent teeth start to come in around age six. Since we will have these teeth the rest of our lives, we want to make sure we take amazing care of them. Children tend to love sweets and snacks, but food particles can get stuck in the chewing surfaces of the molars, which turns to bacteria and can cause cavities to form. The food particles that get trapped in the deep grooves of teeth are the main culprits behind tooth decay.
By having a Marion Smile Center hygienist apply sealants, teeth will have a protective barrier guarding against food particles which then cause decay. Sealants don’t replace brushing and flossing, but they can improve overall oral health by sealing the usual chewing surfaces where food particles tend to stick deep inside the grooves.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sealants can protect your child’s teeth against 80% of cavities for the first two (2) years and up to 50% of cavities over the next four (4) years. Sealants will wear and their effectiveness is reduced over time. During your regular cleanings at Marion Smile Center, our dental hygienists will check to see if the sealants are due to be reapplied.
Brushing and Flossing Are Not Enough
There are many deep crevices in the teeth, particularly in the molars, that regular brushing cannot always reach. In addition, children do not have the dexterity to brush their teeth properly and don’t tend to brush their new adult teeth as well, since they are so far back. Applying a sealant on your children’s teeth would serve as an extra barrier in these hard-to-reach areas.
Sealants Are Pain-Free
Having to deal with tooth decay is painful, but getting a dental sealant is not. It is considered to be one of the most conservative and non-invasive preventive dental procedures you can get for your child.
Teeth Protection Is Immediate
Typically sealants are placed at a routine cleaning visit with a hygienist. After the sealant material is flowed into the grooves of the teeth, it only takes seconds to cure with a light, which makes the material hard and seals the chewing surface of the tooth. The coating is a clear, white material and blends well with the natural tooth color. Once this process is completed, your child’s teeth will have protection against decay for several years on their chewing surface. Consider bringing your child to a dental office that offers pediatric dentistry services, like Marion Smile Center.
It Can Save on Costs in the Long Run
Because sealants help to prevent cavities, they could keep you from having to take your child to see the dentist to get cavities taken out of their mouth and fillings placed. The cost of sealants are typically at least 3x less than the cost of having fillings or treating oral infections. Also, this preventative treatment is a lot less invasive, no numbing, and takes only a fraction of the time compared to a filling.
Pediatric Dentistry in Zelienople, PA
Sealants provide an extra layer of constant protection for your child’s teeth. We recommend protective sealants not only for children, but for teenagers and young adults as well. Our caring and experienced team here at Marion Smile Center are here to help your child have a positive experience at the dentist’s office so they will always maintain regular dental cleanings and excellent oral health.
If you have any questions about our dental services or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Marion, DMD, FAGD contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (724) 452-4300 or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to serving you and your family!
Some other links that may interest you:
Preparing for your Child’s First Dental Visit
Preparing for you Child’s First Filling
