Fighting Cavities By Placing Dental Sealants
We’re always looking for ways to help fight cavities and safeguard smiles from the onset of decay. We can help your children with unique preventive treatments, such as dental sealants and even fluoride gel. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about how to prevent cavities in little smiles.
The Causes of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay forms in the interior of your tooth, in the dentin that makes up most of your tooth’s structure. Typically, smiles of all ages are protected by the outer enamel. But poor oral hygiene habits could allow plaque buildup to form, which then erodes the outer enamel and exposes the dentin to bacteria. These poor habits include infrequent dental cleanings, improper brushing and flossing, and a diet high in sugary foods and drinks. If your child attends regular checkups and cleanings, then we will likely identify cavities in the earliest stages of demineralization. Otherwise, you may not know your little one needs care until he or she develops painful toothaches.
Placing Dental Sealants
To help prevent the onset of tooth decay and the need for dental fillings, we can use preventive treatments. For example, many kids have trouble reaching the back teeth when they brush and floss. This enables bits of food and particles from our drinks to remain trapped between the molars, causing cavities. But! With dental sealants, we apply a unique plastic coating to these rear teeth. This prevents food from becoming caught on or between them, and they can stay in place for up to ten years. They wear away gradually with time, adhering to the most vulnerable parts of the rear teeth for the longest time.
Fluoride Gel
During each checkup and cleaning visit, our team can also offer a protective fluoride gel. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen the outer enamel to prevent erosion and cavities. For this reason, many communities have added it to the drinking water. We can apply it to the teeth in a gel form, helping little smiles stay strong. In addition, be sure your children use fluoride toothpaste too! Kids three and younger need a rice sized amount, while kids over the age of three can use a pea-sized amount. Parents, you need fluoride toothpaste too!
If you have any questions about how we help prevent the onset of cavities, or if you would like to schedule a visit for your child, then contact our team today to learn more.
Ready to Help Prevent Tooth Decay?
Our team wants to help your child avoid issues like tooth decay. If you have any questions about taking steps to help prevent the onset of tooth decay, then contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Preventive Treatments