Worried about your child getting cavities? Dental sealants may be the best way to protect your child’s teeth from decay.
Dental sealants are a very common preventive dentistry treatment for kids. They consist of a layer of transparent dental resin. This is applied directly to your child’s rear teeth as a liquid. Then, the dentist will use a special UV light to harden the resin. This forms a protective barrier that prevents food particles, bacteria, and acid from contacting their teeth directly. In turn, this helps reduce the risk of tooth decay (cavities).
42% of kids between the ages of 2-11 have at least one cavity in a baby tooth, and 21% of kids between the ages of 6-11 have had at least one cavity in an adult tooth.
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In an ideal world, your child would brush two or three times a day. But it’s sometimes hard to get your child to brush properly, or for long enough. Sealants are a good “insurance policy” to help reduce their risk of cavities.
A healthy, low-sugar diet is ideal for kids. But if your little one is often sneaking sweet treats or has a real sweet tooth, dental sealants can help protect their teeth from cavities.
Some kids simply have weaker enamel than others due to genetic factors. Sealants are a great way to add another layer of protection to their teeth and fight back against tooth decay.
To prepare for their treatment, Dr. Ian Marion will begin by gently and thoroughly cleaning your child’s teeth. This is important, since their teeth must be clean for the sealant material to bond to the enamel properly.
Next, Dr. Ian Marion will apply a thin layer of dental sealant resin to your child’s rear teeth using a special brush. Sealants are usually applied to the rear teeth. This is because the rear teeth are very large and have deep pits and grooves that make them more susceptible to tooth decay.
Once he has painted the sealant material onto your child’s teeth, Elk Grove and Folsom pediatric dentist Dr. Marion will shine a UV light into your child’s mouth. This light activates the resin. Then, it hardens and forms a strong, protective barrier on their teeth. The entire procedure is totally non-invasive, and usually takes less than 30 minutes.