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Manufactured foods have become a part of our routine diet, be it snacks, sodas or candies. Our starch consumption is on an all-time high, and while our dental hygiene may have improved, tooth decay is still a major problem. "Dental hygiene has definitely improved. Parents are teaching their children to brush properly, use fluoride enriched toothpaste and even floss before going to bed. However, kids are also consuming more snacks and sugary products than before," explains a dentist in Diamond Bar CA. Food particles can often get stuck in crevices and enamel depressions. These places are harder to clean and hence harbor bacteria that cause plaque and tooth decay.
Dental sealants have been a popular choice to help prevent decay among children and adults alike. Sealant is a thin plastic coating applied to the fissures and grooves on the tooth's chewing surface. Back teeth and molars are often difficult to clean and more susceptible to bacterial activity, which is why these are the prime candidates for dental sealants. "Think of it as teeth varnishing. The sealants cover the small pits and nooks, flattening the chewing surface. This allows for easier cleaning and prevents the food particles from becoming trapped in gaps and depressions," explains the Diamond Bar dentist.
With the first molars erupting at the age of 6, parents can choose to have sealants applied immediately to prevent damage during the cavity prone years. Sealants can normally last up to 5 years, but can be reapplied if worn down. "Sealant is a preventive care measure, it reduces the chances of more serious problems where teeth may have to be drilled or reduced for fillings," explains the Diamond Bar dentist. However, sealants are not an alternative for fluoride, which is why children should be asked to use fluoride based products, for ongoing dental protection.
Application:
Sealants can be applied in one sitting. The hygienist or dentist cleans up the tooth and applies an acidic solution on the chewing surface. This roughens up the surface enabling the sealant to bond better. The dentist then paints a thin coat of plastic over the teeth depression, covering small nooks and cervices. Once painted the dentist would then use a laser to solidify the sealant in place. The procedure itself is painless and children can be cleared to eat within hours.
Your child may take some time to adjust to the sealant, occasionally feeling it with the tongue, but it would not hamper him or her from performing routine activities. While there is no need for specialized care, tooth grinding and acidic beverages can wear down sealants quickly. The coating should be checked by the dentist every six months or so to ensure consistent care. "While sealants may not provide absolute protection from cavities, it reduces the chances of occurrence. Children can grow up with healthier teeth, not having to experience any dental distress," explains the dentist in Diamond Bar CA.
Dental sealants have been a popular choice to help prevent decay among children and adults alike. Sealant is a thin plastic coating applied to the fissures and grooves on the tooth's chewing surface. Back teeth and molars are often difficult to clean and more susceptible to bacterial activity, which is why these are the prime candidates for dental sealants. "Think of it as teeth varnishing. The sealants cover the small pits and nooks, flattening the chewing surface. This allows for easier cleaning and prevents the food particles from becoming trapped in gaps and depressions," explains the Diamond Bar dentist.
With the first molars erupting at the age of 6, parents can choose to have sealants applied immediately to prevent damage during the cavity prone years. Sealants can normally last up to 5 years, but can be reapplied if worn down. "Sealant is a preventive care measure, it reduces the chances of more serious problems where teeth may have to be drilled or reduced for fillings," explains the Diamond Bar dentist. However, sealants are not an alternative for fluoride, which is why children should be asked to use fluoride based products, for ongoing dental protection.
Application:
Sealants can be applied in one sitting. The hygienist or dentist cleans up the tooth and applies an acidic solution on the chewing surface. This roughens up the surface enabling the sealant to bond better. The dentist then paints a thin coat of plastic over the teeth depression, covering small nooks and cervices. Once painted the dentist would then use a laser to solidify the sealant in place. The procedure itself is painless and children can be cleared to eat within hours.
Your child may take some time to adjust to the sealant, occasionally feeling it with the tongue, but it would not hamper him or her from performing routine activities. While there is no need for specialized care, tooth grinding and acidic beverages can wear down sealants quickly. The coating should be checked by the dentist every six months or so to ensure consistent care. "While sealants may not provide absolute protection from cavities, it reduces the chances of occurrence. Children can grow up with healthier teeth, not having to experience any dental distress," explains the dentist in Diamond Bar CA.
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