Throughout the day, wherever your child goes, dental plaque is constantly building on their teeth. Bacteria in their mouth feed on the remnants of the food they eat and on the minerals of their teeth to grow and multiply. If plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar and can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Daily brushing is necessary to keep plaque at bay—but sometimes it isn’t enough.
The trouble with molars
While many of the surfaces in our mouths are mostly smooth and easy to clean, the chewing surfaces of molars are naturally covered in pits and crevices which are ideal places for bacteria to hide. Most tooth decay begins in those grooves, and can cause major damage to teeth before it’s treated. This is a problem for children aged 6 to 16 especially, as good brushing habits take time to develop. If their new adult teeth aren’t properly protected, decay can occur which will leave its mark on their teeth for the rest of their lives.
What sealants do
Dental sealants are a thin coating which is painted onto the molars and hardened to form a barrier between the tooth and the decay that threatens it. The sealant fills and covers the many pits in the molars’ chewing surfaces and prevents bacteria from entering them. The new, smooth surface of the sealants is easier to clean, allowing your child the time they need to learn good dental hygiene habits. Dental sealants effectively prevent almost all tooth decay on the surfaces where they’re applied. There is no better defense against cavities than dental sealants combined with daily brushing.
Getting sealants
If your child has their adult teeth and does not yet have dental sealants, or if you think your child may need sealants on their baby teeth, contact our office today to schedule an appointment. Dr. Skleba or Dr. Brewer will be happy to consult with you about getting your child dental sealants. You can call our office to schedule with us, or request an appointment online.
