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 In Pediatric Dentist Blog

4 Reasons You Should Consider Dental Sealants For Your Kids

Kids want to become more independent around age 4 or 5 with most aspects of their lives. When it comes to oral hygiene, it takes a little longer to learn proper brushing and flossing techniques to thoroughly clean your teeth. The time in between children learning to brush and floss by themselves and when they are actually cleaning their mouth correctly can sometimes allow for cavities to take hold. Teaching children the foundations of great oral care by brushing and flossing 2x a day and consuming less of sugary snacks and candy is something that takes time and isn’t learned overnight. So, what’s a parent to do? Here are 4 reasons you should consider dental sealants for your children.

First, What Are Dental Cavities?

Dental Cavities are holes that are created in the teeth by toxins. These toxins are from the sugars and bacteria already on your teeth from eating throughout the day. In order to avoid tooth cavities, the teeth must be protected from this acid and this is where dental sealants come in.

And, What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin protective coatings that are applied on the surface of children’s new permanent molar teeth. This is due to the fact that molars (chewing teeth) are more prone to get cavities faster than the other teeth. Dental sealants are usually applied in the form of liquid plastic. The liquid then covers and fills all the grooves and pits of the tooth. After the substance dries, it bonds and blends with the teeth.

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The 4 Reasons For Sealants

1) Early Teeth Protection

If properly taken care of, tooth sealants can last for as long as 10 years. In order to ensure that your kids have a full set of functional teeth as they enter adulthood, you need to be proactive in making sure their teeth are protected early enough. Early protection through dental sealants is one of the most effective ways of achieving this. However, it is important to keep in mind that the child still has to practice proper dental hygiene.

2) The Procedure Is Non-Invasive

Placing dental sealants is a very easy and painless procedure that doesn’t require any drilling. The procedure doesn’t cause any discomfort and your child may not even realize any difference between the sealant placement and teeth cleaning. The procedure involves cleaning the teeth, application of the sealant, and then curing using an ultra-violet light. The fact that this procedure is simple, fast and painless may even cause children who fear to visit the dentist’s office to have a change of heart.

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3) Cost-saving

Dental sealant procedures are covered by most health insurance policies which means that the amount you pay will be significantly less. On the other hand, treating dental cavities is far more expensive- especially if you have no insurance. Research has shown 40% of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults have tooth cavities. The long-term treatment of cavities can quickly add up. Since dental sealants protect your kids’ teeth against cavities, then considering this option for your kids early enough helps saves you (and them) significant costs in the future. [View our Financial Info here]

4) Promotes Good Health

Tooth cavities often lead to more serious oral health problems such as gingivitis and advanced periodontitis. Dental sealants for your kids is one of the most effective ways of protecting your kids from these diseases. Even after treatments such as cavity fillings, the health of their teeth might still be compromised.

When it comes down to it, it’s always better to be ahead of the game with your oral health. Taking as many preventative measures as you can will give you the peace of mind that your kiddo has the best chance possible of having an amazing oral health journey into adulthood.

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