If your child continuously gets new cavities despite your best efforts, our dentists at Southbridge Dentistry may recommend dental sealants. Sealants can be a highly effective way to minimize tooth decay and the need for fillings in children and teenagers. Although they can help with protecting teeth, dental sealants cannot replace good oral hygiene. Children should still be encouraged to consume a healthy diet, reduce sugar intake, and brush and floss each day.
How Do Dental Sealants Work?
Dental sealants are a thin plastic coating that we paint onto the chewing surface of molars. The sealant material then bonds with the grooves and depressions of the molars to remain permanently affixed. Sealants provide an extra layer of protection against bacteria and plaque that can eventually lead to tooth decay.
Top Benefits of Dental Sealants
Completely bonded dental sealants are strong and durable enough to prevent teeth from damage when biting and chewing food. This is in addition to the excellent cavity protection they provide. The design of dental sealants allows them to withstand the force of chewing thousands of times before requiring replacement. Perhaps you or your child has concerns about dental sealants looking unnatural and attracting unwanted attention. Fortunately, neither of these things are cause for concern. Dental sealants bind to the teeth so well that no one will be able to notice them. We take special care to ensure that the dental sealant material closely matches the current shade of your child’s teeth.
When is the Best Time to Receive Dental Sealants?
Children typically have their molars grow in around the ages of 6 and 12. These are both ideal times for our dentists here at Southbridge Dentistry to apply sealants to the back teeth. Sealants help to protect new teeth at the stages of life when children are most likely to experience tooth decay. Protecting teeth now helps to guard against oral health problems later in life, such as tooth decay or tooth extraction. Teenagers are also good candidates for dental sealants. It is best for our dental team to apply dental sealants as early as possible. However, teenage years are not too late to reap the benefits of adding an extra layer of protection to molars.
Dental Sealants Are Affordable and Simple to Install
The entire process of receiving sealants takes minutes from the time the sealant is applied to the time it dries. This preventive measure is also extremely affordable. We invite you to reach out to Southbridge Dentistry today to learn more about dental sealants. Call our office or schedule a preventive care check-up for your child.