Are Dental Sealants Right for My Child?
Is your child prone to tooth decay? If so, our Muskegon dentist may recommend that they get dental sealants to protect their oral health. During the procedure, Dr. Jones will paint on a clear sealant that will fill and cover any small pits or fissures in the chewing surfaces of your child’s molars. This gives plaque and food particles fewer places to hide.
Here’s what else you need to know about dental sealants.
Cavity Prevention
A lot of people believe that sugar causes cavities. But this is only a piece of the puzzle. In reality, the bacteria (plaque) that sticks to your child’s teeth and gums is what causes cavities. When your child eats sugary foods, the bacteria eat what’s left behind and produce an acid that weakens the enamel.
Plaque loves to hide where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Even if your child brushes and flosses every day, they could still be leaving behind plaque on their back teeth. If your child practices good oral hygiene and still gets cavities, Dr. Jones may suggest dental sealants as a possible solution.
It’s important to understand that dental sealants are not a replacement for practicing good oral hygiene. Your child will still need to brush and floss their teeth every day to keep the cavities away.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the most common chronic disease affecting American children. The good news is that you can prevent cavities with dental sealants and by making sure your child practices good oral hygiene.
Painless and Non-Invasive
The tooth sealant procedure is painless and non-invasive. We can also complete the procedure in one appointment, which means your child won’t have to miss as much time from school.
During the procedure, we’ll clean the chewing surfaces of your child’s molar. Next, Dr. Jones will apply an “etching” gel where he’ll place the tooth sealant. He’ll then let the gel sit for 20 to 60 seconds before rinsing and drying the tooth. Prepping the tooth like this will allow the sealant to create a strong bond with the enamel.
Next, Dr. Jones will apply the sealant to the chewing surface of your child’s tooth. Due to the liquid nature of the sealant, it will flow into the pits and fissures that can trap plaque and food particles.
Dr. Jones will then use a “curing” light to harden the sealant in place. For the final steps, our dentist will evaluate the sealant and check your child’s bite.
Compared to getting a dental filling, a tooth sealant is non-invasive and doesn’t require local anesthetic. It’s also a quick and painless procedure that we may be able to fit into your child’s routine .
Request an Appointment with Dr. Jones
Dr. Bruce G. Jones is an experienced family dentist in Muskegon, Michigan. He’s also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help your child maintain a healthy smile. To request an appointment, please call Bruce G. Jones Dentistry at (231) 780-5158. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
