How Dental Sealants Improve Your Child’s Oral Health

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Children who have only cared for their own teeth independently for a few years often struggle to do a good job, especially with the back molar teeth. These teeth are difficult to reach with a standard toothbrush and may have no space in between them for a string of dental floss to fit.Dental sealants in Sugar Land TX provide the extra protection your child needs to keep their teeth cavity-free.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are protective coatings that prevent bacteria from invading the chewing surface of the back teeth. The molars can be especially challenging to keep clean due to the many ridges and grooves they contain. Dr. Alan Imrek paints a thin, liquid coating onto each of the back teeth that forms a seal to keep bacteria from causing decay. After applying the liquid sealant to each tooth, Dr. Imrek shines a curing light on it to speed up the process of drying and hardening.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Sealants?

Unless parents voice an objection to Dr. Imrek applying dental sealants, he will do so at most biannual cleaning and exam appointments for children ages six to 14. This eight-year period is a common time for children to develop tooth decay that requires fillings.

However, he does not limit dental sealants to only pediatric patients with permanent teeth. The treatment may be appropriate for those who still have primary teeth, teenagers, and adults. If you struggle with frequent tooth decay, please let us know if you would like to have dental sealants applied.

How Dr. Imrek Applies Dental Sealants

The first step is to clean your child’s teeth thoroughly, followed by drying the teeth and placing a piece of cotton gauze near the treated tooth to ensure that it stays dry. He then paints a small amount of etching solution on the chewing surface of the tooth. After rinsing and drying your child’s teeth, he applies sealant material directly to the enamel where it bonds to the tooth. The last step is to use the curing light.

Could your child benefit fromdental sealants in Sugar Land TX? Please schedule a cleaning and exam at your convenience.

Does Your Child Need Dental Sealants?

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Even the most conscientious parent can’t watch over their child every minute of the day. And even if you’ve taught your little ones to brush and floss regularly, there may still be those times when they forget. Fortunately, your dentist in Sugar Land, TX, has a backup plan — at least for those hard-to-reach back molars. Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings that help guard against decay when your child forgets to brush. As a parent, there are things you need to know about dental sealants.

Dental Sealants Reduce the Risk of Cavities

Dental sealants can reduce the risk of tooth decay by as much as 80 percent, says the American Dental Association. School-age children who don’t have dental sealants have roughly three times more instances of cavities than children who do have them. That’s an impressive number. And because tooth decay can lead to painful toothaches, chronic bad breath, and other negative outcomes, you’ll want to help your child avoid it as much as possible. That’s where dental sealants can help.

Dental Sealants Are Made of Medical-Grade Resin

Dental sealants are made of medical-grade resin. This is similar to the material your dentist uses to fill your tooth. They’re applied using a brush and then hardened off using an LED blue light. Once cured, they protect the delicate enamel of teeth from damage and decay for several years. Your child will still need to brush and floss regularly, and you’ll want to keep regular appointments with your pediatric dentist. But the sealants add an extra layer of protection for those lumpy and bumpy back molars that are so hard to clean. 

Dental Sealants Are Safe

Dental sealants are safe for use in children and adults. Modern versions are BPA-free, and they’re applied in such a way that the liquid runs into little cracks and crevices in your child’s molars. This effectively ‘seals’ them from the food debris that causes tooth decay. 

If you’d like more information on the many benefits of dental sealants in Sugar Land, TX, call First Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today. Our friendly and experienced team will be happy to schedule a time that’s convenient for you.