How Can Dental Sealants Improve Your Child’s Smile?

Dental sealants are a protective coating added to your child’s teeth to help prevent tooth decay. Dental sealants put a barrier between the teeth and food particles.

Dental sealants have been shown to reduce cavities in children by up to 80%. Dental sealants are typically recommended for children who are seven years or older, have no fillings, good oral hygiene habits, and no cavities in their permanent teeth.

Getting dental sealant in Fort Lee is an inexpensive way of prevention rather than just fixing what has already happened. Sealants can improve your child’s smile and keep them cavity-free. Dental sealants are a coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth.

How are Dental Sealants Fixed?

Dental sealants can be applied to your child’s teeth in a painless process. First, the dentist in 07024 will clean the teeth carefully to remove all plaque and tartar buildup. The tooth will then be dried and an acid solution used to etch the surface of the tooth. Dentin bonding is applied and then cured with a bright ultraviolet light. Dental sealants for kids should last up to ten years, but they may need to be reapplied as your child ages. Dental sealants are usually applied once when the child reaches six or seven years old and then again when they are twelve or thirteen if needed.

Dental sealants for kids can be made of either plastic or resin, with the former lasting up to three years and the latter five years. Dental sealants cannot protect against all types of cavities, so additional preventative care is needed. Dental sealants will not work if teeth are chipped, cracked, or caved in.

Dental sealants can help protect your child’s smile at a fraction of the cost associated with the replacement of decayed teeth.

What are the Risks of Dealing with Dental Sealants?

There is a low risk of adverse effects when dental sealants are used. The most common problems are sensitivity to cold and temporary discomfort, which usually subsides within a few days or weeks. However, there have been concerns about Bisphenol-A.
The discussion about dental sealants is not new, but it has recently become more heated than ever. Many think that the BPA is harmful, but the American Dental Association (ADA) has stated that BPA is safe for humans in the amounts that are used in dental sealants.

In the end, it is important to weigh both sides of the argument and make a decision that you feel comfortable with. If you decide that you don’t want your child to have dental sealants because of the BPA, be sure to talk to your dentist about other ways to protect your child’s teeth from cavities. You can also opt for glass ionomer sealants, which do not contain BPA. They contain fluoride minerals, but they are not as durable as resin or plastic.

What are the Benefits of Dental Sealants?

There are many benefits to dental sealants, including:

• Dental sealants prevent tooth decay and cavities.
• Sealants are a quick, easy procedure that can be done in the dentist’s office.
• Dental sealants are durable and can last for ten years.
• Dental sealants are less expensive than having dental cavities filled.
• Dental sealants can protect the teeth of children who grind their teeth, which is called bruxism. Dental sealants can also help prevent tooth wear and chipping in adults with bruxism.

What Other Preventive Dental Procedures Can You Use?

There are other preventive dental procedures that you can use to protect your child’s smile, including:

• Dental checkups: Dental checkups are important for detecting and treating any problems with your child’s teeth before they become worse. Visit a dental office near you twice a year for professional cleaning and exams.
• Dental fluoride: Dental fluoride can help protect your child’s teeth from decay. You can find dental fluoride in toothpaste, mouthwash, and other oral hygiene products.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit So Good Dental for more information about dental sealants and what you can expect.