Discover the three ways dental sealants can keep your child’s smile healthy.
The majority of dental problems that we face can easily be prevented through proper oral care. The earlier we teach our children good dental hygiene the better their oral health will be. After all, we want to instill these healthy habits as early as possible. One way you can help prevent your child from experiencing decay is by opting for dental sealants. Your Allentown, PA dentist shares the top three ways dental sealants can help your child’s teeth.
About Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are small pieces of plastic that go over the chewing surfaces of molars to prevent cavities from entering the tooth. Since molars are often more susceptible to decay than other teeth because they are often harder to reach than front teeth, we recommend all children opt get dental sealants.
Even if your child does brush and floss each day there are certain surfaces of the molars that your child might miss. This can lead to plaque buildup and decay, which can later produce cavities. Therefore, in order to protect these susceptible areas, your Allentown, PA dentist recommends sealants.
Applying Dental Sealants
This process is quick, easy and completely painless. Your child will not need anesthesia and there are no needles or drills involved. This is a completely non-invasive procedure. We will first paint the sealant onto the tooth. As we do this the material will naturally bond and harden on the surface of the tooth. As the plastic resin hardens it will also cover those little hard-to-reach grooves in the molars to keep out food particles and plaque.
Dental Sealant Candidates
Dental decay can occur in childhood; therefore, it’s important to opt for dental sealants early in life to prevent decay. Despite this, teenagers and even adults can benefit from dental sealants. Talk to your Allentown, PA dentist if you are interested in dental sealants for either yourself or your child.
Protecting Your Smile
While dental sealants will certainly go a long way to preserving your child’s molars, they will still need to adopt these habits in order to fully protect their smile.
- Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Use floss each day to remove food between teeth
- Eat a healthy, balanced meal and avoid sugar
- See their Allentown dentist regularly for exams and cleanings
If your child doesn’t have dental sealants, then talk to your Allentown, PA dentist about opting for this simple and painless treatment during your child’s next routine cleaning. Call our office today!