Childrens Tooth Sealants Rising in Popularity in Houston. Many dentists in Houston and elsewhere are in favor of applying dental sealants which prevent the onset of tooth decay. Understandably, children would rather drink fruit juices over water and they won’t typically refuse candy, gummy bears, fruit leather, or granola which is tasty but really bad for their teeth.
Dental sealants are a liquid plastic covering which seal the teeth and prevent food having direct contact with the flat surface part of the teeth, which avoids decaying of the molar teeth.
Dental sealants are not an expensive item but nevertheless only one in five children at the poverty level and around two in five of higher income homes receive the treatment. Research suggests that dental sealants can reduce cavities by up to 80% and many dentists automatically suggest that adult teeth (for children) are sealed as soon as practical.
Talk to Your Dentist about Dental Sealants
When you talk to your Houston dentist about the possibility of dental sealants for your children, the professional will be able to give you a balanced view of whether they are a good idea or not. Some dentists might suggest that dental sealants should not be placed until there is evidence of some decay.
The success of dental sealants is dependent upon the skill of the person carrying out the work. Therefore, your choice of dentist should be someone who readily completes dental sealants for their patients.
How Are the Teeth Sealed?
The plastic like liquid is dripped carefully onto the biting surface of the tooth. This coats the top area of the tooth which is where food and bacterial growth can cause problems. They are usually applied when children are between five and seven years old. The dental sealants are set with the use of an ultraviolet light.
Figures suggest that around 50 million sealants are used and applied in the US each year, and are particularly successful among children who are usually at a slightly higher risk of decay.
The addition of dental sealants to the molars will hopefully prevent decay in young teeth, giving the child the opportunity of having healthy teeth throughout their lifetime. If a child’s second tooth begins to decay, they may begin a lifetime of problems that could have been avoided.
The process of applying a dental sealant is very simple as they will hardly even know that their teeth are being coated. They may see some of the ultraviolet glow, but this will have been explained in advance by the professional dentist so that the child can remain relaxed throughout the entire process.
If you’re interested in learning more about teeth sealants, contact our Houston dental office for a consultation.