Get the Protection of Dental Sealants with Your Children’s Dentist in Boonville

As a parent, the health of your child’s teeth and gums are important to you, which is why you strive to promote proper oral hygiene habits and take them to their children’s dentist in Boonville every six months for a cleaning and checkup. However, despite your best efforts, you may be overlooking a vital aspect to protecting their teeth from damage. If your child is over the age of six and has not had dental sealants, their smile is at risk for tooth decay.

Prevent Tooth Decay with Dental Sealants

Tooth decay is the most chronic condition we treat in children. While it is preventable, young smiles are at a heightened risk because they often do not have the best oral hygiene habits. Bacteria and food particles are left in hard to reach places, like the crevasses of the back molars. As a result, it sits on the teeth, slowly eating away at the enamel until a cavity forms.

To protect the teeth from damage, your dentist in Boonville will likely recommend that your child receives dental sealants. This simple, noninvasive procedure provides an added layer of protection to help seal out tooth decay.

While they are very beneficial, it is estimated that 60% of children 6 to 11 years old do not have them, making them three times as likely to develop tooth decay. According to the CDC Vital Signs Report, dental sealants can prevent as much as 80% of cavities in school-aged children. As a result, if your child is over the age of 6 and has yet to receive them, you may not be protecting their smiles as well as you had thought.

Protect Your Young Smiles

To promote the health and beauty of young smiles, your dentist can easily apply dental sealants to cavity-prone areas, commonly the back molars. This involves using a resin material that is placed in the grooves of the teeth. It provides a barrier between cavity-causing bacteria and the enamel to prevent tooth decay from developing.

The simple and pain-free treatment is recommended for children who have had their primary molars erupt, usually around the age of 7. When the adult molars erupt around the age of 12, it is recommended that the sealants are reapplied to continue protecting the teeth. Although they are commonly used in children, there is no age requirement limit to benefit from their protection. In some cases, your dentist may recommend dental sealants for you as well.

Promote a Healthy Smile

As you work to ensure that your child develops and maintains healthy teeth, do not overlook the benefits of dental sealants. Ask your dentist about them during their next preventive appointment.

About Dr. Joseph T. Kelly

Dr. Joseph T. Kelly is committed to creating generations of healthy smiles through advanced dental care. He treats patients of all ages, including children. With a focus on preventive care, he strives to reduce dental complications that hurt oral health. If you have any questions about the benefits of dental sealants, contact Great Impression Dental today to schedule a consultation.