How Do I Know If My Child Needs Dental Sealants?
Does your child get frequent cavities? Are you considering taking your child to the dentist to get dental sealants? Whether your child’s teeth have already exhibited indications of decay and cavity or you are looking to prevent future cavities in your child’s teeth, dental sealants are a smart choice. According to the CDC, dental sealants prevent 80% of cavities in children on the teeth on which they are applied. Although it is good for most children to get dental sealants, there are some factors to consider when making your decision.
Dental sealants prevent 80% of cavities in children on the teeth on which they are applied, according to the CDC.
1. How Old Is Your Child?
Children are the most prone to cavities between the ages of 6 and 14 years old, though babies, teens, and adults can benefit from dental sealants too. At age 6, your child’s first molars will appear. Their second set of molars will break at 12 years old. Dental sealants are typically placed on the molars because they have the deepest grooves to hold food and bacteria. Dentists recommend that children get sealants just as soon as their first molars break, and again when the second molars break 6 years later.
2. Does Your Child Have Good Dental Hygiene Habits?
Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings that keep food and bacteria from lodging in the deep grooves of your child’s back teeth (molars). The back teeth can be difficult to reach with brush and floss. When children are young and first learning how to brush their teeth at 7 or 8 years old, it can be hard for them to take care of this area in their mouths. It can also be hard for you, mom or dad, to help them reach these areas. Although dental sealants are recommended regardless of hygiene habits, poor dental hygiene makes them all the more important.
To learn more about dental hygiene for your child at different ages and stages, read our blog How to Care for Your Child’s Teeth.
3. Is Your Child Already Experiencing Cavities?
If your child has already had decay or cavities in their back teeth, you should certainly take them to the dentist to get sealants. This is a strong indication that food and bacteria are collecting in the grooves of your child’s molars and not breaking loose during cleaning. According to the CDC, children who do not have dental sealants have almost three times more cavities than those who do. Protect your child’s teeth from future decay!
Children who do not have dental sealants have almost three times more cavities than those who do, according to the CDC.
Applying dental sealants along with healthy hygiene habits is the #1 way to prevent cavities in children. Are you ready to prevent future cavities in your child’s teeth? Schedule an appointment with us at Valley Dental Clinic. We are a family-focused practice serving the Mat-Su Valley for over 40 years. Our friendly staff would be happy to answer any question you or your child may have as well as provide your child with a tour of the facility or our procedures to make them as comfortable as possible!