A lot is said about dentistry in general, but not nearly enough is emphasized about children’s oral needs. Pediatric Dentistry exists for the sole reason for caring for children’s teeth and all other related oral needs. Children need their teeth taken care of as much as any other part of their well-being.
What Are Dental Sealants?
They are oral appliances used for pediatric dental care. They are majorly used for cavity prevention on both baby teeth and permanent teeth. As your child grows, their teeth also change. The changes are evident when the first kid’s teeth fall off, making way for permanent teeth. Soon enough, your child should already have several permanent teeth.
Any Houston dentist will tell you that children are more prone to tooth decay at an early age than later on in life. The cavity-prone ages are usually between 6-14 years. At this stage, the molars and premolars have already grown. The foods they choose along with other oral habits can compromise the health of their teeth. Given as adult teeth are supposed to last a lifetime, it would be a disservice to watch your child damage his permanent teeth through dental decay. To prevent this, dental sealants are used.
They are a plastic coating that is applied in the chewing surfaces of teeth. They create a protective coating over teeth to protect them from oral decay.
Who Needs Dental Sealants?
Sealants are mostly featured in children. This is because of their high-risk factor in dental cavities. However, they are not limited to kids only. Even adults can have sealants for their teeth. The idea is to protect teeth from dental decay. In this case, it becomes a proactive measure for dental care. In Willowbrook dental care, patients at risk of getting cavities have dental sealants installed. They are a great alternative for dental fillings, given that your teeth have not yet succumbed to the decay process.
Sealants can be used in anyone’s teeth that have deep grooves and pits. It is why they are used for back teeth, that is, the molars and premolars. The only thing that can disqualify you from getting sealants is if you have dental fillings in place. You will no longer need to protect the chewing surfaces of your teeth from dental decay.
How Are Sealants Applied?
Dental Sealants are very easy to apply. You do not even need local anesthesia, because the treatment is not even painful. Some of the steps include:
- Dental cleanings – professional deep cleaning is necessary to ensure your teeth do not have plaque. Trapping plaque underneath dental sealants will only worsen the decay process.
- Roughening the surface – a special acidic liquid is applied to the surface of the tooth’s enamel. The purpose of this is to toughen the surface in preparation for the sealant.
- Applying the gel – it is smeared in the chewing surfaces of teeth and allowed to dry. Usually, a special curing light is used to speed up the drying process.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
While you would want the sealants, you invested in to last forever, they do not. Most dental sealants last as long as 10 years. However, along the way, you need a dentist near Willow brook to check the sealants for cracks, chips, and any other kind of damage.
Are Dental Sealants Worth It?
This is a question that most patients ask. It is a concern for parents to children, and even for adults to themselves. The idea of being proactive with teeth may not seem like a financially-sober decision. However, if you consider the benefits of catering to your health, then you will find it worth it. Some benefits of dental sealants include:
- Fighting dental decay.
- Preventing plaque and tartar build-up on teeth.
- It is a preventative measure for dental health.
- It allows you more freedom over food choices.
- Dental sealant procedures for children are covered by most insurance plans. All your children under the age of
- 18 can get the treatment without breaking your bank.
- It increases the lifespan of teeth – if you do not allow your teeth to succumb to dental decay, then you stand a better chance of having your teeth even at old age.