Dental sealants have become a popular service for parents seeking some extra protection for their children’s teeth. But why are sealants important? And what can they offer that a routine teeth cleaning cannot?
Before discussing the importance of dental sealants, let’s go over what a dental sealant is and how it works.
What Are Dental Sealants?
A protective dental sealant is a thin protective coating that is usually made from plastic or other dental materials. It adheres to the surface of your molars, which are the teeth we use for chewing.
A sealant acts as a shield for your teeth. When we eat, bacteria from food particles remains on our teeth. And when this bacteria is not swept away by brushing, flossing, or mouthwash, it can attack the tooth and cause decay, better known as a cavity.
But with a sealant standing in the way, those food particles (and the bacteria they carry) never actually come into contact with the tooth. Instead, they come to rest on the surface of the sealant and not the tooth itself.
Why Are Sealants Important?
Cavities are so common in children because kids have not yet perfected the art of brushing their teeth. Young brushers tend to miss spots and leave harmful food particles on the surface of their teeth. The bacteria present in these food particles is a big reason why more than 50 percent of children develop a cavity between the ages of 6 and 11.
Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of tooth decay in molars by almost 80 percent, and school-age children without sealants have nearly three times as many cavities as children with sealants.
Sealants are applied with a brush and the process is completely painless. By protecting your child’s teeth from cavities, they can avoid costly repair work in the future and put them on a track toward a happy and healthy smile in adulthood.
Dental Sealants Near You
Wilson Pediatric Dentistry is a kids dentist in Greenville, NC, offering dental sealants to children along with a range of other dental services. Contact us to learn more about our sealant service and consider adding the protection to your children’s teeth that will keep them smiling for years to come.