As children’s adult molars erupt, their surfaces are full of deep pits and fissures. These pits and fissures are the perfect place for sugar bugs (bacteria), and food debris (plaque) to hide. As we all know, children from toddlers through to late teenage years rarely have proper oral hygiene. The combination of poor oral hygiene, sugary foods, sugar bugs, and grooves to hide in, spells decay! Have no fear! That is why we use Sealants on children’s teeth.
But how does the cavity form, and how does a Sealant prevent this? Well, it begins when sugar bugs eat the food particles stuck in plaque to produce an acid. The acid erodes your child’s teeth. The longer the sugar bugs stay on the teeth, the more acid they produce, and the larger the cavity that results. By using Sealants, we seal the grooves off to prevent this from happening in those pits and fissures.
That’s great, but what are the Sealants made of? Dental Sealants are a white, thin plastic coating that flow into the grooves of molar teeth. While properly maintained, Sealants can create a nearly impenetrable barrier to bacteria and food debris on the biting surface of the tooth. As a result, they are recognized by the American Dental Association as an effective means of cavity prevention.
With good oral hygiene and proper care for sealants, this procedure is a fast and easy way to protect your child’s teeth for up to ten years. Ask us about your child’s sealants at your next visit!
