Prevent Cavities with Dental Sealants in Watuga, TX
Quick, effective, and low cost, dental sealants are one of the top tools to prevent cavities from invading your child’s smile. They can be applied in mere minutes during their routine cleanings and offer years of cavity-fighting protection.
What are Dental Sealants?
A dental sealant is a thin coating applied to teeth to protect them from tooth decay. Sealants target molars and premolars with deep grooves and depressions. The protective barrier prevents food and bacteria from nudging into a tooth’s nooks and crannies and causing tooth decay. Dental sealants for kids are one of the most effective and low cost ways to stop cavities from popping up.
Who needs Dental Sealants?
Children are especially susceptible to tooth decay. Their teeth are more permeable and their diets may be heavier on sugar than recommended. Sealants are suggested for most kids from the time their first permanent molars appear. Baby teeth with deep grooves are also fitting candidates to receive the extra protection.
Dental Sealant Treatment
Dental sealants are applied in a matter of minutes. Typically, they are applied at the end of your child’s routine cleaning exam. Once a tooth is fully cleaned, the area is kept dry to adhere to the sealant solution. The tooth is gently roughened to increase the bond, and then the sealant is painted onto the tooth and allowed to harden. In just a short time, your child will have a cavity-fighting layer on their teeth for years to come.
Maintaining Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are expected to give lasting protection, but can wear down over time. If your child’s sealants have worn down, they can be touched up or replaced during their next dental visit.
It’s important to practice dental hygiene habits by brushing and flossing twice a day. Avoid chewing on ice or foreign objects to keep the sealant barrier healthy for years of cavity prevention.
Prevent Cavities for Bright, Healthy Smiles
If your insurance includes your child’s dental needs, many plans cover the full or partial cost of sealants as they fall under preventative care. For any questions on financing and insurance, we’ll be glad to review your plan to get the most out of your child’s dental benefits. For more information or to schedule your little one’s next dental appointment, contact us today at Aviator Pediatric Dentistry.