Sealants and Fluoride: Is Your Child’s Smile Protected?

Parents have the instinct to protect their children. Whether it is buckling them up in the car or making them wear a coat in the winter, it’s our innate desire to shield our kids from discomfort or prevent harm. When it comes to your child’s smile health, your dentist can offer two very important services in preventative care. Sealants and fluoride treatment can go a long way in protecting small teeth that are more vulnerable to decay. Did you know that cavities are the leading cause of missed school days for kids in the United States?

Tooth Sealants

Young, growing teeth can gain significant benefit from dental sealants. Tooth sealants are a thin plastic material that is gently painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and hardened with a special curing light. By applying a protective barrier on these back areas of the smile, we can better protect it from plaque accumulation and resulting tooth decay. Tooth sealants essentially “seal out” food, bacteria and plaque from harming these vulnerable tooth surfaces. We recommend dental sealants for children and teens, as these are years that they are especially susceptible to pit and fissures (or cavities). However, adults can benefit from dental sealants too. Sealants are applied during a quick and painless procedure, and they can last for several years before a reapplication is needed.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance that is known for its cavity fighting abilities. In fact, fluoride can prevent and even reverse early signs of tooth decay. It acts to strengthen the teeth and remineralize areas where acid has started to damage the enamel. This creates a stronger barrier against tooth decay.

While sources of fluoride can be found in community water and toothpastes, a professional fluoride treatment is highly effective and widely used in preventive dentistry. Avalon Dental Group offers fluoride treatments to children as part of their routine dental care plan. This ensures their smile is receiving the proper amounts of fluoride needed for a healthy, cavity-free smile.

To learn more about tooth sealants and fluoride treatment our Sugar Land dental office, please contact us. We welcome the opportunity to protect your smile at every stage of life.