Pediatric Dentistry: Why Does a Child Need Dental Sealants?
Children are often vulnerable to developing cavities, especially in teeth that are harder to reach while brushing such as the molars and premolars, but
pediatric dentistry treatments can help. Dental sealants are a great way to further protect primary teeth from cavities, and they are safe, cost-effective and noninvasive.
Pediatric dentistry and dental sealants
One of the primary concerns of pediatric dentists is to prevent the development of cavities in children. One way in which they manage this is to offer dental sealants. The following is an overview of dental sealants, explaining what they are, what the benefits are and when to consider treatment for a child.
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are protective coatings that are bonded to the surface of molars and premolars to protect teeth from decay. Since children are often susceptible to developing cavities, pediatric dentistry offices often recommend dental sealants for children. Of course, it is still important to practice good oral hygiene through good brushing and flossing routines, but dental sealants can significantly reduce the risk of cavities. They are most often made of plastic or another dental material and blend in well with natural teeth.
Benefits of dental sealants
There are many benefits of dental sealants, and primarily they help prevent cavities in vulnerable teeth. However, some of the advantages are not so direct:
Money savings
Better oral health
Noninvasive
Safe treatment
Preventing cavities can be an effective way to save money in the long-term. The fact is many children develop cavities without dental sealants, which leads to the need for fillings and other more expensive treatments. Considering the cost-effectiveness of dental sealants, parents often receive a return on their investment. It is also a safe and noninvasive procedure for children.
When to consider dental sealants
Dental sealants are a preventive procedure, which means they can be recommended for any parent who is looking to protect their child’s teeth from cavities. Ideally, every parent should consider the benefits dental sealants have to offer and consult with their pediatric dentist about the possibility. Child cavities can cause issues with the development of permanent teeth if the baby teeth fall out too soon, so sealants can play a role in long-term health as well as short-term.
How the treatment process works
Every pediatric dentistry has their own process. However, the sealant application typically involves thoroughly cleaning and drying each tooth that is receiving a sealant, applying an acidic solution to ensure a proper hold of the sealant, painting the sealant to cover the chewing surface of the teeth and bonding the sealant to the tooth with a special light.
Find out more about pediatric dentistry
If you are considering dental sealants for your child, then reach out to our pediatric dentistry office today to learn more. We can arrange a time for you and your child to come in for a consultation and answer any further questions about dental sealants.
Are you considering pediatric dentistry in the Phoenix area? Get more information at https://camelbackpedoortho.comCheck out what others are saying about our services on Yelp:
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