How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
October 29, 2020 8:40 pmAt Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we are accustomed to treating a variety of dental issues in kids and teens. Cavities are one such issue we commonly see. Because of this, we take an offensive approach to prevention.
Our team uses dental sealants to help protect our patients’ smiles and reduce their risk for developing cavities. With proper care, dental sealants can provide your child with years of cavity-fighting power.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a preventive procedure designed to prevent tooth decay in the back teeth. Our team applies a thin, protective coating into the grooves of these teeth. This protective coating hardens, blocking food particles from getting trapped in these crevices.
If sugary food particles were able to linger in the unfilled grooves of these teeth, bacteria would feed upon the sugar and produce acidic byproducts that would damage your child’s enamel, thus increasing their risk for decay and cavities.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
Sealants can provide up to ten years or more of cavity protection with proper care. However, they will eventually wear down.
Each time your child comes in for a professional cleaning and checkup, our team will make sure their sealants are in good shape. If we notice that their sealants are wearing away more quickly than normal, we may recommend a reapplication. Your child should also avoid activities that can damage their sealants and tooth enamel, like chewing on ice or using their teeth to open packaging.
Maintain a Daily Oral Hygiene Routine!
While dental sealants can reduce your child’s risk for developing cavities, they should be coupled with superb oral health habits. Your child should:
- Brush their teeth twice daily for two minutes each time
- Floss every day
- Consume a balanced diet
- Limit their consumption of sugary treats
- Drink plenty of water
- Visit Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics every six months
Dental sealants provide extra protection against tooth decay and cavities. To ask our team any questions about our preventive dental treatments or to schedule your child’s next visit to our office, contact us today!
Categorised in: Baby Teeth, Cavity Prevention, Healthy Teeth
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