If your child’s permanent teeth have started to erupt, we may have discussed dental sealants with you. This invisible coating routinely applied to the teeth protects all of their ridges, grooves, nooks and crannies from decay-causing bacteria. We usually recommend dental sealants for children as soon as their permanent molars are in, before the teeth have a chance to decay. Not only is this treatment simple but it can save a lot of time, money and discomfort in the future.
Sealants are applied at KiDDS Dental, using a quick and comfortable process―your child will not even see or hear a drill.
To apply this protective coating, we will usually do the following:
- Thoroughly clean and dry the teeth to be sealed.
- Put a special acid gel on the chewing surface of the tooth that roughens the surface and helps the sealant bond to the tooth.
- Rinse off the gel and dry the tooth.
- Paint the sealant onto the tooth, where it will bond to the tooth’s surface. Sometimes a special light is used to help the sealant harden in place.
Once a sealant is placed, it can last for up to 10 years. At each subsequent dental appointment, we will check the sealants to ensure that they are intact. In some cases, we may have to reapply the sealant so that it continues to protect against decay.
While sealants protect the top surfaces of the tooth most likely to decay, your child still has to brush and floss regularly. Regular brushing (twice a day) and flossing (once a day) are critical to protect all surfaces from decay and gum disease throughout a child’s and adult’s life.
If your child’s permanent teeth are starting to come in, it is very important that he or she comes in to see Dr. Jared. Call our office for an appointment so we can assess your child’s oral health and, if the time is right, apply sealants to protect the chewing surfaces of the teeth from bacteria and decay.
If you have questions about sealants, click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070.
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