
When it comes to safeguarding your child’s oral health, few measures can be as effective and convenient as dental sealants at Kids City Dental. Dental sealants offer a valuable solution for parents seeking to enhance their child’s defense against cavities. By providing a physical barrier against bacteria, dental sealants work in harmony with good dental hygiene practices to reduce the risk of tooth decay in particularly cavity-prone areas. Children in Brighton, CO, benefit from this preventive measure because it stops cavities before they start. And in many cases, the cost of sealants is covered 100% by your preventative dental insurance benefits.
Dental Sealants vs. Fluoride Treatments: Which is Better for Kids?
While both dental sealants and fluoride treatments contribute to the prevention of cavities, they work in distinct ways. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks. It can be found in toothpaste, mouthwash, and even municipal water supplies. On the other hand, dental sealants provide a physical barrier, preventing food particles and bacteria from settling into the grooves and crevices of molars and premolars (the back teeth.) These two preventive measures are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they complement each other. Fluoride strengthens teeth, while sealants offer a protective shield against decay in hard-to-clean areas.
How Dental Sealants Can Protect Your Child’s Teeth
Dental sealants consist of a thin layer of plastic resin that is applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. These grooved surfaces, known as pits and fissures, are particularly susceptible to cavities due to their narrow crevices and difficult-to-clean nature. Even if your child brushes well, a toothbrush bristle may not fit inside of narrow grooves and pits. Applying sealants to these surfaces creates a smoother biting area that’s easy to clean with a toothbrush. Plus, it blocks out cavity-causing germs.
Getting sealants is painless and non-invasive, making them a great alternative to fillings after a tooth develops decay.
What to Expect: Placing Sealants
The sealant procedure begins with cleaning and rinsing the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Once the teeth are dry, a gel is applied to the chewing surfaces to create a slightly rough texture that helps the sealant bond effectively. Then, the tooth is rinsed and dried again. Next, the sealant material is painted onto the tooth. A special curing light is used to harden the sealant. Afterward, we recommend avoiding highly sticky textures—such as caramel or taffy—which may pull the sealant off. Our Brighton kids dentists will check your child’s sealants at each checkup to see if anything needs to be touched up.
The Importance of Dental Sealants for Kids in Brighton
Despite diligent brushing and flossing, permanent molars can have hard-to-clean grooves on their chewing surfaces. Most children get their permanent molars sometime around their 6th and 12th birthdays, respectively. Placing sealants soon after adult molars erupt gives your child a head start on keeping their smile healthy well into adulthood. This affordable service provides an additional layer of protection, much like using fluoride toothpaste or flossing every day.
By preventing cavities, children can avoid the discomfort and potential complications associated with tooth decay. Untreated cavities can lead to pain, infection, and even the need for more complex dental procedures, such as crowns or root canals. Dental sealants offer a preventive solution that reduces the likelihood of such issues arising in the first place. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Make Your Child’s Appointment Today
As a parent, you play a pivotal role in ensuring your child’s oral and overall health. Alongside regular brushing, flossing, and regular visits to a family or pediatric dentist in Brighton, dental sealants can significantly enhance your child’s defenses against cavities. At Kids City Dental, our dentists cater to caring for young smiles. In most cases, we can perform dental sealant applications during your child’s routine checkup.
Give your child the gift of a healthy smile. Contact Kids City Dental today to schedule an appointment and explore the benefits of dental sealants firsthand.