Dental Sealants Provide Years Of Cavity Protection
We offer care to help children avoid the onset of issues like tooth decay. Along with checkup and dental cleanings, we could also provide dental sealants. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist will talk about how we provide protection for kids against tooth decay using dental sealants, which could safeguard smiles for up to ten years!
The Causes of Cavities in Little Smiles
Cavities occur when the enamel coating the teeth becomes damaged or erodes. An injury could crack or chip the enamel, but poor oral hygiene habits could cause it to erode gradually with time, leading to cavities. For example, improper brushing and flossing and a diet high in sugar and starch is often the major cause of tooth decay in children. Without treatment, the cavity could eventually lead to an infection and cause a tooth to become lost, impacting the overall health and stability of the smile.
Dental Sealants
For many children, reaching the back molars when brushing and flossing is difficult. This limited dexterity could mean food particles become stuck between these teeth and remain there for bacteria to consume. As this happens, this creates a rise in oral acidity and coats the teeth in plaque buildup. The enamel erodes, and a cavity then forms. However, with dental sealants we help protect children’s molars from cavities! We dry the teeth and then apply a special acrylic material. The sealants coat the teeth and prevent food from being stuck between them, limiting the onset of cavities. The sealants then stay in place for up to ten years and if necessary, we could re-apply them. They never need to be removed, as they will gradually wear away with time.
What About Fluoride?
We could also offer a treatment during each checkup visit with fluoride varnish. Fluoride occurs naturally and has been shown to help strengthen the outer tooth enamel. For this reason, we will apply the material to your child’s teeth during their six-month visit. The application takes only a few minutes, but this helps strengthen the outer enamel to reduce the risk of cavities. Kids also receive fluoride from their tap water and toothpaste.
If you have any questions about how we treat tooth decay in little smiles, or about our preventive visits to keep smiles strong for years to come, then contact our team today. Now is a great time to bring your little one for a checkup and cleaning!
Schedule A Visit For Your Child At Our Dallas, TX Dentist’s Office
We would like to help kids of all ages enjoy a strong smile, one free of tooth decay. To schedule an appointment or find out more, contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Preventive Treatments