Children can be very susceptible to tooth decay, and this could lead to infections and other complications without treatment. To help lower the risk of cavities, we could place dental sealants. In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist talks about how we place dental sealants for little smiles.
Tooth Decay in a Child’s Smile
When kids consume foods and drinks high in sugar, this leaves behind particles for harmful oral bacteria to consume, creating high levels of oral acidity and coating the teeth in plaque, which weakens enamel and makes cavities more likely. Lack of proper brushing and flossing, and infrequent visits of checkups and cleanings, could exacerbate this and lead to cavities. This is usually true for the molars, which sit at the rear of the mouth and are hard for kids to reach when they brush and floss.
Applying These Sealants
To help lower the risk of cavities, we could provide a preventive treatment. To apply the dental sealants, we clean the teeth and then apply an acidic gel to alter the surface and allow the sealants to stick easier. We then remove the acidic gel and apply the plastic sealants. We harden them with a blue light, and they have the potential to last for five to ten years on average. They wear away naturally, and will cling the longest to the most vulnerable portions of the outer structure. We can always re-apply as necessary too. During the same visit and each subsequent checkup appointment, we can also apply a fluoride gel to strengthen the outer layer and protect the entire smile from the risk of cavities, providing another level of protection for kids of all ages.
Other Tips for Cavity Prevention
In addition to seeing us for checkups and cleanings every six months, and receiving our preventive treatments, we could help by offering tips for better home care. Children need to brush in the morning and at night, and each session should take about two minutes. Kids also need to floss as soon as there are teeth sitting side-by-side in the mouth. These actions help protect kids from not only cavities, but as they age these actions help prevent gingivitis and gum disease too.
If you have any questions about how we treat these common oral health issues, or about our approach to preventive dentistry, then contact our team today.
Make a Visit With Your Shirley, NY, Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist Today
We would love to help kids stay cavity-free with a unique preventive treatment. To learn more about safeguarding kids against the onset of tooth decay, then contact Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY, by calling (631) 399-1600.
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