Plaque and tartar compromise tooth enamel. Your child must brush and floss daily and see your pediatric dentists in Niceville, FL, for routine preventive care. But, is all that enough? At Niceville Family Dental, Dr. Jordan Harper and Dr. Ralf Zapata also offer plastic sealants, thin coatings to shield back teeth from invasive bacteria and acids.
The back teeth
You and your child both have molars. They're large, deeply grooved and grind your foods into small manageable particles.
However, both primary and secondary molars have one defect: tiny fissures and pits your eye cannot see and your toothbrush and floss miss altogether. Even your hygienist cannot keep these nooks and crannies clean. As such, tooth decay may develop.
How sealants can protect your child's smile
In their Niceville, FL, practice, your pediatric dentists offer an easy, quick, and very effective preventive treatment for molars. Plastic sealants are tooth-colored coatings that create an impervious barrier to leftover organic matter and its associated bacteria.
The American Dental Association (ADA) says that sealants have proven to be very effective. In fact, decay risk reduces by about 80 percent with the application of these biocompatible coatings. Additionally, sealants protect for up to ten years and then may be re-applied as needed.
To receive sealants, your child attends a professional cleaning, and then, Dr. Harper or Dr. Zapata performs a complete oral examination. If sealants are appropriate, the dentist literally paints on the coating. The plastic is tooth-colored, BPA-free and hardens quickly with a special curing light. The process takes about ten minutes per tooth. That's it!
Long-term protection
Sealants can be re-applied as needed if wear spots or chips appear. Your dentist can seal your child's primary molars and then, their adult teeth. Additionally, many adults with healthy molars take advantage of this economical treatment. You may want to ask your dentist if sealants would help you.
Find out more
At Niceville Family Dental in Niceville, FL, Dr. Harper, Dr. Zapata, and their pediatric dentistry team work hard to maintain healthy, long-lasting smiles. Plastic sealants are just one of the many preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services they offer. If it's time for your semi-annual dental visits, call us today at (850) 729-1223.