Beat cavities with this super-sealing power!
How can we keep our kids from developing cavities? We can force them to brush their teeth all day, everyday – or perhaps we should just cut out sugar and acidics altogether. That sounds like a good plan – except that it can be nearly impossible.
This is where protective dental sealants fly in to save the day! Protective dental sealants can reduce cavities by up to 80% – and up to 60% for 4 years or more, after that.
Where Have Protective Dental Sealants Been All My Life?
We know how amazing protective dental sealants sound, and it’s because they are. Unfortunately according to a poll back in 2011, nearly 40% of dentists had not been implementing dental sealants for kids for one reason or another. There may be no particular reason, at all – as studies prove that dental sealants are a huge cavity reducer.
The Truth About Protective Dental Sealants
Protective dental sealants act as a barrier over a tooth to help prevent cavities. It is a plastic material that is applied to the surface of the tooth, filling in the cracks and crevices of the chewing surface where decay most often occurs. The plastic material is normally hardened with a light.
A dental sealant procedure is as easing as cleaning a child’s teeth – keeping in mind that it’s the dentist who does this, not you. The sealants are painted onto the tooth enamel, bonding to the tooth as it hardens. Protective dental sealants protect the tooth from sugars and acids, serving as a Dental Superhero!
How Old Can My Child Be To Get Dental Sealants?
As soon as your child gets their first permanent molar, they should see their dentist to receive their first protective dental sealants. Your child should receive their first permanent molar around the age of 6. This is why they call these molars the 6-year molars. The second set of permanent molars are called 12-year molars, essentially emerging between 11 and 14 years of age. There may be other teeth with deep pits and grooves as well that your dentist or hygienist can apply protective dental sealants to.
Depending upon the child, your dentist may suggest to place sealants on their baby teeth as well, although it is not commonly suggested This is for special cases where children have unusually deep grooves and pits in baby teeth, requiring some additional help in preventing cavities.
For more information on protective dental sealants and how they can save the day, contact Dr. Mona and her Kangaroo Krew at 978-425-1496.