DENTAL SEALANTS IN GILBERT, AZ
Young children are more likely to get cavities because they eat and drink more sugary foods and drinks than adults. Along with bad oral hygiene habits due to poor coordination or unwillingness to brush their teeth, it’s essential to take all the precautions you can to protect your child’s teeth. Our dentist at Smiles of Gilbert Dentistry can help you by applying dental sealants.
What is a Dental Sealant?
A sealant is a protective coating for teeth that our dentist in Gilbert, AZ put on kids’ teeth to prevent cavities. One of our dentist near you will brush the coating onto teeth, where it dries to form a plastic seal. The seal keeps food particles from sticking between teeth and breaking down into bacteria that can cause decay.
The back teeth, which are the premolars and molars, get special attention because they do most of the chewing when eating. Sealants work well at preventing cavities because dental studies show they prevent up to 80 percent of them with sealants for as long as two years after applying them.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
After applying a sealant to teeth, they can last up to 10 years with care. However, if they sustain damage, it is easy to repair them. All our dentist need to do is brush more sealant over the areas with holes, rips, or other damage and allow it to dry.
When Can a Child Get a Sealant?
Our dentist in Gilbert, AZ, will apply sealants to a child’s teeth starting at around ages 5-6 when their primary back teeth emerge. Then when their second set of molars come in, they may get sealed as well. The second set comes in around the ages of 10-12 years old.
Before applying the sealant, our dentist will clean your child’s teeth to remove plaque, tartar, and any bacteria on them. Cleaning their teeth will prevent cavities from developing and spreading beneath the sealant.
If you want to help your child prevent cavities, talk to our dentist about using sealants on their teeth to keep food from getting stuck in them. With proper care, your children’s teeth can last the rest of their lives.