Nothing lights up a room quite like the bright, happy smile of a child. At Arizona Smile Designers, we want to help keep that smile bright and healthy with our dental sealant services. This comes in many forms, from practicing healthy habits at home and through frequent check-ups at our office. Beyond the normal care, however, is another option to help keep your child’s teeth healthy, and that comes in the form of dental sealants.
A simple concept, dental sealants are a very thin liquid coating typically made of resin. This material gets painted onto the teeth. Once dried, it acts as a protective barrier to help prevent cavities. During a routine office visit, teeth will be cleaned, dried, and prepared for sealant. After application, we use a special light to cure the liquid, sealing it into the enamel.
Sealants have traditionally been applied to adult molar teeth, but it’s become more common to apply to even baby teeth. Healthy baby teeth lead to healthy adult teeth, so great care should be given to maintaining them from the start. Adding a protective barrier to the teeth, especially in the deep grooves that are found in molars, can keep bacteria and food out of there to help prevent cavities from forming. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), children that are 6-11 years old are three times more likely to get cavities if they do not have sealants on their teeth. The benefits of dental sealants are clear—they’re a safe and effective preventative, dental sealants are also cost-effective by preventing future decay and more expensive treatment.
The best time for dental sealants can vary from child to child. Your Arizona Smile Designers team will evaluate and discuss options to determine the best course of action for your family. A good rule of thumb is that any tooth with deep grooves and pits should have sealants for protection. If you do not get sealants on your child’s baby teeth, it is highly recommended to have them applied to their permanent molars as soon as they have grown in.
Dental sealants are a cost-effective, simple solution that provides a great deal of protection against future tooth decay. At Arizona Smile Designers, we offer professional dental sealant services, along with a wide range of treatments including routine cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, dentures, and more. Our team of experienced dental sealant dentists will evaluate your family’s specific needs to recommend the best preventive care options. Request an appointment today to learn more about how dental sealants can benefit your child’s dental health and keep their teeth protected. Let us help your family achieve lasting oral health at Arizona Smile Designers! Contact us today!
