Are Fluoride and Dental Sealants Good for Kids’ Teeth?

Posted January 28, 2020

Most of the treatments that we design for children’s teeth are designed with a heavy focus on prevention. For example, routine checkups and cleanings are general services that are designed to help prevent a wide range of issues, from tooth decay to tooth damage, and more. In addition to routine cleanings, however, your child may sometimes need a little help in effectively preventing an issue like tooth decay from forming. At our Dallas, TX, dental office, we can often provide that help in the form of fluoride treatments and/or dental sealants, which are designed specifically to protect your child’s teeth from harmful oral bacteria.

How does fluoride treatment work?

Fluoride is a common preventive dental treatment for both children and adults, though many people don’t immediately recognize its value. As a mineral, fluoride has the ability to bond to natural tooth enamel, which is comprised almost entirely of minerals. This enamel, which protects your child’s teeth from cavity-causing oral bacteria, can grow weak and lead to tooth decay if not maintained properly. Before this happens, we may recommend applying fluoride the surfaces of your child’s teeth to strengthen the enamel, allowing it to more effectively ward off bacteria that could lead to more serious problems later.

What are dental sealants for?

Like fluoride treatments, dental sealants are designed specifically to protect your child’s teeth from harmful oral bacteria and the cavities they can cause. However, instead of strengthening your child’s tooth enamel by bonding to it, it protects your child’s teeth by shielding them from bacteria completely. Dental sealants are from clear, biocompatible acrylic, and after being applied to the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth, they’ll dissolve safely and on their own. Until they do, they offer a highly effective barrier between your child’s tooth enamel and any bacteria or food particles that could weaken it.

What do they do for your child’s oral health?

The most important thing about fluoride and dental sealants is that they’re designed to not only protect your child’s teeth, but be safe enough not to harm them in the process. This is important for the same reason why prevention is important; your child’s early teeth are more delicate and important to their long-term oral health than you may realize. By preventing issues like tooth decay from ever forming, they have a much better chance at enjoying a lifetime full of healthy, cavity-free smiles.

Ask us about fluoride and sealants

If your child’s teeth can use some extra protection against cavity-causing oral bacteria, then fluoride treatment and/or dental sealants may be a good idea to help lower their risks. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX today at 214-321-4880. We proudly serve patients who live around Casa Linda and all surrounding Dallas communities.