Protective Sealants for Children

Dental Sealants: A Proactive Measure

If your child is prone to cavities, whether due to a natural proclivity or his or her tendency to refrain from practicing a strict oral hygiene routine, you are not alone. Many parents share in the frustration that every time they take their little one to the dentist, at least one cavity is sure to be present! For the children of Charleston, dental sealants can be used to protect against cavities, reducing the chances your child will require treatment for tooth decay. For our patients in Charleston, restorative dentistry treatments such as dental fillings are typically used to restore teeth damaged by cavities.

At the practice of Dr. John Rink, we provide the full scope of dentistry services, including dental sealants, for Charleston cosmetic dentistry patients. We invite you to continue reading about dental sealants with regard to your children.

Dental Sealants and Children

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings which are applied to grooves on the chewing surfaces of teeth in the rear of the mouth. Effectively, they serve to keep food particles and germs from collecting in those grooves, where the majority of cavities in children and adolescents occur. The ideal teeth for dental sealants are permanent molars, which come in around the age of twelve.

Affordable and barely noticeable, dental sealants are quick and simple to apply. First, the dentist will prepare the desired teeth, which will have been washed and dried, with a special gel. Then, he will paint the sealant coating on the tooth. The sealant will dry shortly, a process that may or may not involve the shining of a special light to spur hardening of the sealant along.

Caring for a Smile with Dental Sealants

For patients in Charleston, dental sealants can last anywhere from five to ten years. The patient may be able to detect the sealant to a degree with their tongue, but it should not be uncomfortable. Dr. Rink makes it a point to remind patients and their parents that sealants are in no way a substitute for a proper oral hygiene routine. Fluoride, in mouth rinse and toothpaste, will still be necessary. Those who have dental sealants should still brush their teeth at least twice daily and floss once daily to ensure the healthiest teeth and gums.

Why Opt for Dental Sealants?

There are a number of reasons people choose dental sealants for their children. The most common reasons we’ve noted at our dental practice are because dental sealants:

• Provide extra protection from cavities
• Save money and time with the lessened need for dental fillings
• Protect teeth from decay
• Help avoid discomfort from decay and dental fillings
• Help preserve the natural, healthy tooth structure
• Long-lasting

Learn More about Dental Sealants

Would you like to protect your child from cavities using dental sealants? If so, please reach out to the family dentistry of Dr. John Rink. Our attentive staff will happily answer any of your questions or schedule an appointment for you and your child at your earliest convenience.