Why Kids Dentists Recommend Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are one of the top recommended procedures by pediatric dentists. Why? Their benefits include preventing cavities and gum disease by making bacteria easier to remove.

And best of all? It’s a non-invasive procedure that doesn’t hurt one bit, meaning kids visiting the dentist have nothing to worry about.

Dental Sealants: The Painless Alternative to Dental Fillings

Nobody likes getting fillings. And any kid who’s ever gotten one can tell you it’s not a fun experience. Sure, in the end everything is much nicer once the cavity is patched up, but leading up to that point is no picnic.

Cavities can cause sharp pains that jolt you awake and they are pretty easy to develop, especially for children. Any kid with a sweet tooth is bound for a cavity at some point in their life unless they stay on top of their oral hygiene. Even with good oral hygiene, cavities can still develop in the molars due to the rough surfaces of the teeth.

In the midst of the rough surface are little grooves that toothbrushes have a hard time reaching. If plaque is able to harden within these grooves, it will protect the bacteria growing there. The bacteria will burrow into the tooth, leading to a cavity.

Dental sealants prevent this from occurring by smoothing out the grooves. A dental sealant is a translucent gel that hardens on the surface of a tooth. In gel form, it easily fills in the grooves of teeth, most commonly molars.

Once the grooves are filled in and the gel hardens, the surfaces of these teeth will be smooth, making them much easier to brush. The process for getting a dental sealant is completely painless, which is one of the top fears of kids visiting the dentist.

This painless application of the dental sealant can save a lot of pain that would come as a result of getting a cavity.

Do Only Kids Need Dental Sealants?

Young adults and older adults can also benefit from dental sealants. The sealant is not, unfortunately, permanent. They will last a few years, but eventually the grooves will reform, and need to be filled again.

And molars are not the only teeth that can develop these grooves. Adults who have a habit of grinding their teeth may be creating grooves on their other teeth, but dental sealants can be used on them as well to prevent cavities from forming.

The Importance of Care and Checkups

Even with dental sealants, people young and old are at risk of developing cavities if they don’t regularly brush and floss.

Regular checkups at the dentist every six months will also prevent cavities, as your Memorial area Houston dentist can perform a deep cleaning to remove plaque and tartar.

Taking good care of your teeth not only keeps them healthy looking and bright, it also prevents bacteria from causing cavities and infections in your mouth.

You can avoid the pain of a cavity and need for a filling by getting dental sealants in Houston today.