Dental Sealants for Children

A dental sealant is basically an extremely thin, protective foil or coating that will adhere to the surface of the tooth. The dental sealants are applied to the surface of the back teeth, right on the chewing surface of the tooth. It is important to mention that dental sealants should not be considered as substitutes for regular brushing and flossing. However, the sealants help protecting against dental decay or even stop an early decay from developing into a more complex dental health problem. A dentist for kids upper saddle river will apply these dental sealants if he sees it a necessary procedure.

According to statistics in the field, children that are at school age and do not have such dental sealants, are more exposed to the formation of dental cavities than children with dental sealants. Sealants represent an important part of your child’s dental health, because they promote good health and help protecting against early cavities. Some other good habits that will help fighting against dental decay include brushing the teeth twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once a day, and staying away from sugary drinks as much as possible.

As parents, you should acknowledge the importance of regular visits with your dentist for kids upper saddle river. During such dental visits, the dentist will perform a comprehensive examination of the teeth and the gums to ensure everything is in order. If needed, the dentist will suggest X-rays to check in depth for other issues, or carry our treatments such as dental fillings, plaque removal or suggest orthodontic treatments (wearing braces if needed).

Experts generally recommend that children between the ages of 6 and up to 14 should have dental sealants. The first molars of your child break through around the age of 6, and the second molars will come out at about the age of 12. This is why the majority of dentists suggest dental sealing for these teeth as soon as they break through in order to protect them from dental decay. In rare cases, dentists may suggest applying sealants even to baby teeth- in the case of teeth that have deeper groves.