What are dental sealants?
Learning how to properly care for teeth can take years of practice, and even then, the back molars and premolars can be difficult to clean with their anatomically deep grooves. WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry can protect these cavity-prone teeth through BPA-free dental sealants or a clear plastic coating. These preventive coatings create a barrier between your child’s teeth and the harmful particles that can damage their youthful smile. It only takes a few minutes to apply, and the results last for up to 10 years! Learn more about how your child can receive this form of treatment by contacting Dr. Lee or a member of our dental team in Prosper, TX, today.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants at WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry can help protect your child's beautiful smile with a number of great benefits like:
- Offers excellent protection against cavities and tooth decay
- Helps protect teeth even if children don't practice good brushing habits
- Application is quick, easy, and comfortable
- Dental sealants can last up to 10 years
- More cost-effective than having a cavity filled
- Doesn't affect natural tooth color
- BPA-free
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Who is a candidate for dental sealants?
Children do not always understand the harmful effects of plaque and bacteria. This means hard-to-reach areas of your child’s mouth like the molars and premolars are often neglected during brushing. Bacteria and food particles burrow deep into the pits and grooves of their teeth and cause cavities. Ideal candidates for dental sealants include children who:
- Need an extra layer of protection because they have not yet refined their dental habits at home.
- Want to prevent future problems like cavities that require time-consuming treatment or extensive dental work.
- Are at a higher risk for cavities because of their diet and eating habits.
What to expect during dental sealants
Dental sealants serve as a protective barrier between the tooth enamel and harmful bacteria. They are designed to prevent the smallest crevices from becoming plagued with decay. This preventive treatment takes only minutes to apply and is a completely painless process. Also, as long as your child maintains good oral habits at home and maintains regular dental appointments in Prosper, our advanced dental sealants can last for 10 years.
What happens after dental sealants?
Dr. Lee will clean your child’s teeth thoroughly before treatment to remove any debris found on, around, or in-between these teeth. Once the sealant adheres to the teeth and the clear coating is applied to the molars and premolars, we may use a special curing light will be used to harden the coating. WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry will then provide information about how to care for your child’s teeth so that the sealants last as long as possible.
Dental sealants FAQs
What causes cavities in children?
Cavities are caused by bacteria that feed on the sugars and starches in food, turning them into acids. Over time, these acids destroy the enamel, resulting in tooth decay. Children in Prosper, TX, are more likely to get cavities because they tend to eat more sugar. Parents and caregivers should regularly look for signs of tooth decay, such as tooth pain, sensitivity, and small holes or pits in their teeth.
Do dental sealants hurt?
Some of our younger patients are scared of the pediatric dentist and may have concerns about having a procedure done. The great news is that dental sealants are not painful or uncomfortable. WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry has years of experience working with children and does everything possible to ensure their comfort. We also teach the children about good dental hygiene to help them continue a lifetime of healthy smiles.
How can I help prevent cavities?
Parents should take their children to a pediatric dentist as soon as they develop their first tooth. Dr. Lee can provide personalized instructions for brushing and flossing and as well as how to supervise your child's oral health. At-home care, regular dental visits, a balanced diet, and dental sealants can help prevent cavities for years to come.
Protect your child's teeth
Dr. Lee believes in the benefits of dental sealants as a way to protect growing and developing smiles. Because children are prone to developing cavities at a young age, dental sealants at WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry can keep their smiles healthy and strong as they transition into adolescence and adulthood. Learn more about our pediatric dental services by scheduling an appointment at our office in Prosper, TX. We can keep their smiles healthy for life.