According to the American Dental Association, cavities affect millions of children worldwide. They are even considered a chronic disease here in the U.S. Here at Summerville Dentistry, Dr. Scott Wingard and Dr. Caleb Morris offer an array of preventive care, restorative treatments, and cosmetic dentistry treatments in our Augusta, GA, and Evans, GA, offices to ensure that you and your child get the best dental care.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a quick guide on dental sealants so you can learn how they can help protect your child against cavities.
The Problem with Cavities
Cavities also referred to as dental caries, develop when the sugars and starches that are left on the teeth for prolonged periods feed bacteria and turn into acid that breaks down the teeth and leads to decay. It’s also important to point out that cavities could develop as early as the eruption of your child’s first tooth.
Besides harming your child’s oral health, cavities can likewise negatively affect your child’s sleep, diet, and speech. Some parents might even think that cavities on temporary or baby teeth are fine. However, cavities on milk teeth will raise the risk of developing cavities on adult or permanent teeth.
How Dental Sealants Work to Prevent Cavities
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that sealants can help prevent the formation of cavities for up to two years following their application. They will continue to safeguard your child’s teeth for up to four years after that. They are a great cosmetic dentistry option provided at our office in Augusta.
Applying dental sealants entails painting the liquid on the child’s teeth. Once the liquid hardens, it will turn into a thin coating that resembles hard plastic to protect the teeth, most notably the grooves, valleys, and crevices that toothbrushing can’t easily reach.
For cavity prevention with dental sealants to be successful, your dentist recommends that your children get dental sealants in our Augusta, GA, or Evans, GA, office once their first molars come in. This usually occurs around six years old. Also, visit your dentist for new sealants and touchups once the next set of your child’s molars comes in.
To Learn More About Preventing Cavities and Dental Sealants, Talk to Us.
Call our Augusta, GA, office at (706) 738-4723 or our Evans, GA, office at (706) 250-2998 and arrange a visit with Dr. Scott Wingard or Dr. Caleb Morris here at Summerville Dentistry. We'll help you learn everything you need to know about sealants and our Augusta cosmetic dentistry practices.