Dental Sealants
What are dental sealants?
Most cavities in children's teeth are found in the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Dental sealants are made to protect the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth. They are clear or in a shade of plastic and help keep the teeth cavity-free.
Source: Los Angeles Dentist
Why are dental sealants important for children?
No matter how careful children are in brushing and flossing regularly, it is practically impossible to effectively clean out the tiny grooves and pits on some teeth, especially the ones located in the back of the mouth. If food and bacteria accumulate in these places, your child would be in danger of tooth decays. Dental sealants help keep the food and plaque out of these surfaces and therefore decrease the risk of cavities.
Source: Dentist Los Angeles
Does my child need dental sealants on all their teeth?
Saliva keeps the smooth surfaces of the teeth clean, but does not do that for the grooves and fissures in the teeth. For this reason, six-year to twelve-year molars are more in risk of tooth decay, so they would remain healthier with dental sealants, although any tooth with grooves and fissures would benefit from dental sealants.
Source: Dentist Los Angeles
Does my child have to brush and floss regularly even if he has dental sealants?
Definitely! Sealants can only do so much is keeping the teeth cavity-free, but brushing and flossing regularly along with balanced nutrition and regular visit to their pediatric dentist is still an essential part of their dental health for all children.
Source: Los Angeles Dentist