The Lasting Impact of Dental Sealants on Children’s Teeth
Dental sealants offer a safeguarding shield to the vulnerable areas of teeth that are prone to decay. These areas include the molars’ biting surfaces, which feature tiny crevices that can harbor bacteria and lead to damage. Sealants are particularly beneficial for safeguarding children’s teeth until they develop good oral hygiene practices.
What is a Dental Sealant?
A dental sealant refers to a protective coating applied on children’s teeth to prevent food and bacteria from causing cavities. Our dentist in Oshawa says that sealants can significantly reduce cavity occurrence in children and adolescents, with an 86 percent decrease after one year and a 58 percent reduction after four years.
Sealants work hand in hand with proper oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing, flossing, fluoride treatments, and a healthy diet, to maintain optimal dental health. Even though brushing and flossing are essential aspects of dental care, sealants provide extra protection to the grooved parts of teeth that are vulnerable to pit and fissure decay.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
Many parents wonder about the durability of dental sealants and if they are similar to fluoride paste which wears off throughout the day. Unlike fluoride paste, dental sealants can provide protection for many years, even up to a decade, as long as they are well-maintained with good oral hygiene and care.
Benefits of Dental Sealants
These several advantages of dental sealants in Courtice & Oshawa, ON, will provide a fundamental comprehension of sealants and their role in shielding your child’s teeth.
They Safeguard Against Tooth Decay
Dental sealants act as a safeguard against tooth decay in kids by applying a layer of “tooth-colored” plastic over the tooth’s surface. This protective layer makes it challenging for bacteria to remain on the tooth’s surface, thus preventing decay. The enamel of a child’s tooth is protected from bacterial attacks, making dental sealants a safe and efficient technique to preserve dental health.
Every kid can Benefit
All children can gain advantages from dental sealants, regardless of their diligence in maintaining oral hygiene. Tooth decay can affect any child, given that bacteria can accumulate in the deep grooves of a tooth and cause damage. Although a child may brush their teeth twice a day, the average toothbrush may not be able to reach these grooves, leaving behind bacteria that can result in cavities. Dental sealants provide an extra layer of defense to each tooth, promoting good dental health and a radiant smile.
They Have a Long Lifespan
Applying sealants during childhood can protect teeth during the most cavity-prone years since sealants can endure for several years with appropriate maintenance. Proper oral hygiene and avoiding biting complex objects can prolong the sealant’s lifespan. At regular dental checkups at Brightway Dental, our dentist will examine the sealants and suggest reapplication or repair as required.
The Process is Swift and Painless
The procedure of applying tooth sealants is uncomplicated. First, the teeth are cleaned and primed for the sealant material. To prepare the teeth, a gentle solution with the same potency as lemon juice or vinegar is utilized, slightly roughening the tooth’s surface to help the sealant bond correctly.
Once the tooth is primed, the acrylic sealant is applied to the tooth or teeth. The sealant material flows into the tooth’s depressions or grooves and fills them. After one or two minutes of hardening, the tooth becomes sealed and protected, preventing bacteria from accumulating in the pits and grooves.
Sealants Can Be Applied at an Early Stage
The number of teeth requiring sealants depends on a child’s likelihood of developing dental cavities. To provide maximum protection, dental sealants must be administered as soon as feasible after a permanent tooth has emerged. Children around the age of six will receive the most benefit from sealants around the time their initial permanent molars start to become visible.
Sealants Can Help You Save Money
Aside from being a swift and painless approach to safeguarding a child’s teeth, sealants are also much less expensive than dental restorations. Most dental insurance providers include sealants as part of the treatments covered by general policies. By preventing the need for costly and painful cavities at a lower cost, dental sealants have become the preferred preventative option for children.
Sealants are Suitable for All Ages
Despite the common perception that dental sealants are only appropriate for children, they can benefit individuals of all ages. While children are the most typical recipients of this treatment, permanent teeth in older patients also contain tiny grooves that require coverage to safeguard against bacteria.