For cavity-prone kids, going to the dentist can be a nightmare. Thankfully, dental sealants are a permanent solution to painful traditional fillings and can prevent cavities in kids and adults. Cavities are a common type of tooth decay in patients of all ages. They occur when bacteria enter the core of your tooth and slowly eat the tooth from the inside out. Sealants prevent food and bacteria from entering the nooks and crannies that may not get cleaned during a normal brushing or flossing.
If your child needs dental sealants, the friendly Bear Creek staff in Medford is available to explain everything to you and your child before the procedure.
Are sealants safe for kids?
Dental sealants are a protective barrier placed on your child’s teeth to keep food and bacteria out of the tooth. Along with comprehensive dental care like brushing, flossing, fluoride and a healthy diet, sealants can greatly improve your child’s dental health. These daily measures like brushing and flossing are important, but sealants protect the contoured hard-to-clean areas, preventing pit and fissure decay.
While many may think of sealants as a procedure for adults, dentists can apply sealants to children as young as 6 years old. As soon as your child’s adult teeth erupt, it’s a good idea to take preventative measures and apply sealants to their teeth.
The Dental Sealant Process
One of the friendly Bear Creek hygienists or our dentist cleans your child’s teeth before beginning the sealant process. Once the tooth is dry, a material is applied to the tooth that helps the sealant bond better, then rinsed and dried again. Next, the sealant is applied to the biting surface of the tooth and hardened with a specialized light. This is often a quick and painless procedure, but your child will still need to hold still for the procedure to be done correctly.
Contact Us
Bear Creek Pediatric Dentistry serves the Medford, Oregon area with quality dentistry for kids of all ages. From your baby’s first tooth to your teenager’s wisdom teeth, our friendly staff is always available to help. Call us today to speak to one of our professionals about dental sealants for children.