Dental implants can make a smile look fabulous – I know I have them. However, if you are just thinking about getting them, you may have a lot of questions. You may be wondering how smoking affects implants, whether or not wine will stain them, if they can be whitened or other concerns. I also know from experience that it can be intimidating to ask some of these questions to your dentist. In my dental implant blog, I am going to answer the questions that can be hard to ask. I hope you find the info you need in this blog and that it guides you to the right decision about dental implants. Thanks for reading!
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3 Reasons to Get Dental Sealants to Protect Your Child from Cavities
Isobel Berry
To prevent your child from getting cavities, a dentist may recommend applying dental sealants to your child's teeth that are most at risk of decaying. Combined with fluoride toothpaste, dental sealants virtually prevent decay from occurring in the teeth of several children—making them an excellent option to protect from cavities. These plastic coatings cover the chewing surface of teeth and are painless and completely safe to use.
Here are some reasons why you should protect your child's teeth from cavities by getting dental sealants.
Block Early Tooth Decay From Poor Brushing Techniques
Most tooth decay begins in the narrow grooves and pits on the chewing surface of the teeth in the back of the mouth, because children tend to ignore this area while brushing. This poor brushing technique causes residual bacteria from plaque to set in teeth. This bacteria turns acidic and causes cavities. Dental sealants have a protective coating that prevents plaque from staying on the teeth and causing decay.
Fills Grooves
Dental sealants fill and block the grooves between teeth in order to protect them. The grooves and pits in the back teeth are sometimes too narrow for toothbrush bristles to clean which hastens the decay process. The dentist applies these dental sealants to prevent decay. Once applied, these sealants harden to form a tough protective layer by filling up the grooves.
These painless fillings do not require any drilling or injections and can prevent tooth decay for at least a decade, so debris can't accumulate. It's always wise to get a regular dental check to see whether the sealants continue to be effective.
Prevents Risk to Most Vulnerable Part of Mouth
Dental sealants are usually applied to permanent molars found at the back of the mouth since this area has the highest risk of tooth decay. By applying bonded dental sealant, a dentist makes the surface smoother so there are no gaps that can cause cavities. For most children, a permanent molar tends to appear around six or seven years, so you may want to consult with a dentist about applying dental sealant immediately to protect your child's teeth from cavities later.
The dentist prepares teeth by cleaning and drying them completely. A thin layer of the sealant liquid is then painted on the grooves in a similar way you would apply nail polish. Once the sealant is set on the teeth with a special light, the most vulnerable area of your child's mouth is protected from decay.
If you have further questions about this procedure, consult dental clinics such as Swansea Family Dental.
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