As an adult, you know how important it is to have a winning smile. A happy, healthy smile can open doors for future success, make people feel at ease when first meeting you, and convey messages without having to use words. And as a parent, you no doubt want to give your child those same opportunities when they’re an adult.
One of the easiest and most affordable things you can do today to shape your child’s smile for their future is to ask our dentist about the use of dental sealants to protect your little one’s teeth against decay – and how they can help protect adult teeth too!
Research shows that dental sealants prevent 80 percent of cavities for up to nine years after application. That means almost 10 years of worry-free parenting concerning your child’s dental health. And when used on adult teeth, similar protection against weakened enamel and tooth sensitivity can also be achieved.
What makes these results even more beneficial is the ease of application. Our dentist can perform the procedure in one simple appointment. That means a one-hour appointment translates into almost a decade of protection.
Every child will have different requirements concerning their need for added protection against cavities and tooth decay, but in general, it’s recommended that sealants in children begin when they are most susceptible to damaging oral health conditions — typically around the age of seven or eight.
If you’ve already missed that window for your child, it’s never too late. Our dentist also recommends dental sealants when your child’s permanent molars begin to grow since this is another high-risk period of dental concern for emerging smiles.
Now might be a good time to take a look at the type of toothpaste and rinses that you’ve provided for your child to use at home for two key areas. Make sure they have received a dental seal of approval and make sure your child is using them both correctly.
If there’s any doubt that your child might be forgetting to brush, floss, or rinse as recommended, the easiest and quickest way to add peace of mind is to make an appointment for a dental sealant procedure.
