Dental Sealants
Cavity prevention is a must for children’s dental health. Even with your best intentions for your child’s dental care, though, issues can still arise. That’s where our team at Cynthia A. Manders, DDS, Pediatric Dentistry comes in!
Dental sealants are a highly effective solution for preventing decay and preserving children’s dental health as their teeth grow. These thin, hard protective layers are applied to children’s teeth as an extra layer of protection against toddler tooth decay as your child learns healthy oral habits like brushing and flossing.
If you’re looking for special needs dentistry in Lake Jackson, dental sealants are also an excellent option for these patients and their oral health.
What is a Dental Sealant?
For patients of any age, a daily routine of brushing and flossing works wonders for preserving and protecting your smile and overall health.
However, sometimes this isn’t enough to treat hard-to-reach parts of the mouth–especially for pediatric patients who are just learning how to properly care for their teeth. If left untouched, food debris on teeth creates plaque and bacteria that break down enamel.
In both children and adults, cavities can hurt long-term oral health if left untreated. For young patients whose teeth are still developing, decay can be detrimental and lead to the destruction of baby teeth. This leads to expensive oral health damage later in life.
Dental sealants are a preventative treatment, meaning they stop bacteria buildup before it can even start. Applied to the biting and chewing surfaces of baby teeth, they protect the developing surfaces of these teeth from decay and plaque.
How are Dental Sealants Applied?
The sealant application process is quick, easy and painless, making it perfect for children.
First, our team will evaluate teeth to make sure there is no preexisting sign of decay. If decay is spotted, this will need to be treated instead.
Next, we will apply a thin layer of resin coating to the chewing and biting surface of the teeth. To ensure quick drying, we’ll use a special light to harden the sealant.
Applying a sealant only takes a few minutes per tooth. Like a dental filling, if properly cared for a sealant can last for several years–the perfect amount of time to protect a baby tooth before it falls out and the permanent adult tooth comes in!
How do Dental Sealants Work?
Dental sealants are healthy, safe, affordable and effective for protecting baby teeth. The resin coating applied to teeth is smooth to touch, but tough in terms of protection. It keeps bacteria from attaching to the tooth, and also smooths the tooth so brushing is easier.
Looking for Pediatric Dental Sealants in Lake Jackson?
At Cynthia A. Manders, DDS, Pediatric Dentistry, our team specializes in preventative dentistry for children. Call our office at (979) 297-2308 to discuss sealants for your child!
