The Benefits of Dental Sealants for Children’s Teeth
Tooth decay is a chronic condition affecting children globally and doesn’t spare Canadian children either. Children can develop cavities on their molars that form at six and 12 to damage their teeth permanently.
If cavities have yet to lag in affecting children and adults, a dentist in Mississauga has discovered an effective remedy against tooth decay by recommending dental sealants for children’s teeth. A sealant for teeth is not a magical remedy that prevents the development of cavities but is a preventive measure that helps prevent cavities from developing on the molars by creating a smoother surface on them to make cleaning challenging to reach molars comfortably.
Dental Sealants Explained
Dental sealants are a slimy coating of tooth-coloured resin painted on the molars to seal the pits and grooves on them, helpful for trapping food particles and bacteria to encourage the development of cavities. Even if children brush and floss diligently, they can leave dental plaque on the molars, especially in the pits and grooves, causing them to deposit acids to erode tooth enamel and cause cavities. The sealants seal the pits and fissures, making it easier for children to clean them and preventing the development of holes in their teeth that cause permanent damage.
The Process of Applying Dental Sealants to Children’s Teeth
Applying dental students to children’s teeth is relatively straightforward, and the painless procedure is completed within 30 minutes by the dentist providing dental sealants in Mississauga, ON.
When you take your kid to get dental sealants, the dentist examines their teeth and cleans them to ensure plaque and bacteria don’t remain trapped under the bond. Your child’s molars are cleaned and dried with absorbent material to prevent contaminating them with saliva.
After drying the molars, the dentist applies a conditioning liquid over them for a few seconds before cleaning them again and drying them as earlier. Finally, the dental sealants are painted on the molars and hardened with ultraviolet light. Your kid can continue daily activities soon after receiving dental sealants on their teeth. However, the dentist suggests not to give children exceedingly hot or cold foods for some time as a preventive measure.
The Benefits of Dental Sealants for Children’s Oral Health
Dental sealants prevent cavities on children’s teeth by 80 percent for two years after the application. The prevention remains ongoing for another four years against 50 percent of holes. The sealants stay on the teeth for nine years, although they will require replacements due to chipping and cracking.
Dental sealants help inhibit the risk of tooth decay by providing an extra barrier protection between your child’s molars and the elements responsible for this chronic condition.
If cavities require dental fillings, sealants help prevent them by disallowing the harmful bacteria in the mouth from penetrating children’s teeth by eroding tooth enamel. It helps your child significantly because they don’t have to undergo painful procedures that damage tooth structure permanently before getting their teeth restored with dental fillers.
Restored teeth need maintenance over the long term because they can get reinfected to need intensive treatments like root canals or extractions with replacements like space maintainers and dental implants later when they are eligible. On the other hand, dental sealants prevent cavities from developing, preventing all the above to help you save plenty of money on unnecessary dental restorations.
Can All Children Receive Dental Sealants?
Children with molars can receive dental sealants if they don’t need a sealant for sensitive teeth. Teeth affected by tooth decay are best restored with dental fillings or treated with silver diamine fluoride if the cavity is minor and hasn’t expanded. However, holes in teeth are better fixed with fillings providing children with appropriate repairs to help their teeth last longer than expected.
The Mississauga dentist suggests dental sealants to help children build a stable foundation for oral health. During routine exams, they determine whether your child is prone to tooth decay and offer dental sealants as a preventive measure against dental cavities. In addition, they also recommend protecting your child’s teeth by getting them to incorporate stringent brushing and flossing routines besides scheduling appointments for cleanings every six months.
Dental sealants in Mississauga, ON are appropriate for children with pits and grooves in their molars. Adults can also receive them if they don’t have restored teeth. Therefore if you want to prevent cavities on your child’s teeth, dental sealants are an excellent preventive measure coupled with dental hygiene regimens to forestall their development.
Sherwood Forrest Dental and its team do everything required to help your child maintain a healthy smile. If you intend to prevent holes in your child’s teeth, schedule a meeting with them to get dental sealants for your kid.