Baby Tooth Arrival: What’s Normal & What’s Not
When your baby’s first teeth come in, the first thing you probably do is reach for the baby book. After all, this is a momentous occasion!
When it comes to your kids’ dental health, you’ve likely got the basics covered. Some of the earliest things you probably taught your kids were how to brush, rinse and maybe even floss. But there’s a lot more you can do for your kids to ensure their dental health for a long time to come. You may have heard of dental sealants, but did you know that dental sealants for children are a great investment in their future oral health?
Dental sealant is a material that a dentist uses to seal the surface of the teeth. Dental sealant is made with a plastic polymer that closely resembles the look and hardness of the original teeth. There are also clear dental sealants available that are invisible to the eye.
The application of dental sealants is completely non-invasive and painless. The dentist applies the sealant with dental tools after preparing the surface of the tooth to better accept the sealant. After the dentist applies the sealant, a special light is used to quickly harden the substance. There are also variations of dental sealants that can harden without the light.
Absolutely. In fact, dental sealants work best on children. And because the treatment is completely painless, most children experience no discomfort at all when the sealant is applied.
Dentists recommend that children get dental sealants on the surface of the molars and pre-molars. Those are the teeth that usually have the deepest crevices, and where fissures can appear on the sides of the teeth. The molars are the teeth used for chewing at the back of the mouth. It’s here that food may get stuck in the molar, eventually leading to cavities. Dentists recommend dental sealants for children because kids have not yet developed many of the common problems with their molars that adults have. With the preventive treatment of dental sealants, a child may be able to avoid getting cavities in their molars for a long time or even forever.
Generally speaking, children are more prone to cavities than adults. They may eat and drink more sugary foods and beverages. They may also go for longer periods of time without brushing properly. In addition, children may not have the manual dexterity or maturity to properly care for their teeth. Dental sealants literally offer an added layer of protection against the possibility of cavities. Left untreated, cavities can cause your child to lose their adult teeth. This can even lead to bigger health issues in some cases.
Dental sealants can last for a great many years. As your child grows into adulthood, he or she can opt to have dental sealants reapplied if a dentist determines it might be helpful.
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