The Importance of Dental Sealants To Prevent Cavities in Kids and Its Consequences for Adulthood
Tooth decay places a significant health concern due to its implications in adulthood. Untreated tooth decay and gum periodontitis might lead to costly treatments to restore dental pieces’ functionality or avoid losing them.
Risks of oral illness increase as we age. A study revealed alarming numbers of adults with severe oral problems in the US:
Cavities Without a Treatment
Untreated cavities account for 25% of the population.
Treatable cases of gum disease affect approximately 45% of adults 30 years or older.
It is a severe gum disease that risks overall health and affects about 9% of adults.
When left untreated for a prolonged time, all of those mentioned above might develop into tooth loss.
Almost absolute negligence of oral hygiene leads to losing denture pieces, leaving eight or fewer teeth in the mouth. A prevalent consequence of losing that many denture pieces are diminished nutrient absorption and overall quality of life.
Regrettably, the list of problems does not end up there. Neglecting oral health might also derive in mouth cancer, and chronic diseases might accelerate or worsen teeth loss. Therefore, it is a priority for patients to take action and guide their kids into the realm of proper and effective oral care at an early age.
Along with a guide, parents can also take measures to prevent the development of tooth decay (cavities) or any gum disorder in their kids. They can also help them maintain a healthy smile with the application of dental sealants.
This article addresses the importance of taking action with preventive measures to maintain good oral health in kids, emphasizing dental sealants for kids.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Many parents of our little patients arrive at our pediatric dentistry consultation asking for treatments to help their kids with their oral health, specifically looking for preventive therapies or measures.
Furthermore, some parents perform previous research and want complimentary information asking us, What Are Dental Sealants? And, Why Does My Kid Needs Them?
Dental Sealants for Kids are protective coatings composed of plastic-like dental materials that form a thin layer that covers a tooth. A specialist at a pediatric dentistry office uses these materials, for cavity prevention, by painting the chewing surface of molars and applying a special curing light.
Why Are Dental Sealants Important for Kids?
Dental Sealants protect the part of molars that serve to chew and triturate food from bacterial plaque buildup. Protecting the surfaces of molars (occlusal surface) is imperious, as these teeth have an irregular chapped shape in which bacteria can accumulate and have a higher risk of caries development.
Dental Sealants for Kids might last for several years. For this reason, we recommend parents bring their children when they are six years old. However, a pediatric dentist might apply sealants for school-age children at any time, up to age fourteen.
A particular recommendation for parents is that sealants by no means replace proper dental hygiene habits (brushing and flossing after meals). The application of dental sealants is a complemental procedure aimed at preventing cavities that offers extra protection, but reducing the risk of cavities requires practicing oral hygiene habits more than anything else.
To make a point about sealants and give an answer to the question: How Necessary Are Dental Sealants? Kids that develop cavities, and worst, they are left untreated, might develop intense pain, infections, and overall health-associated problems like appetite disruption (eating disorders), speaking conditions, and affect the cognitive area (learning).
All these problems and illnesses have a direct affection on adult ages. Therefore, we insist on seeking dental treatment with dental professionals at an early age for lasting healthy teeth.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
Dental sealants can last up to 10 years. This means they can protect a child during this time. However, at Parkway Pediatric Dentistry, we follow up with your child to ensure everything goes OK with sealants and, if needed, suggest to parents a sealant reapplication as well as fluoride treatments, dental checkups, and all sorts of preventive treatments.
So, if you ask yourself, Are dental sealants permanent? The answer is no. Also, at Parkway Pediatric Dentistry, we are glad to find out parents make quite informed questions like, What are the risks of dental sealants in children?
There are no risks with dental sealants, and yes, they contain minuscule amounts of BPA. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical used in different industries and linked to modifying processes in the body, like growth, cell repair, and alterations in hormone receptors related to the thyroid gland function.
However, the amount of BPA in sealants is insufficient to produce an alteration or cause an illness. If you have concerns about BPA, you can access resources published by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to obtain more information.
At Parkway Pediatric Dentistry, We Love Giving You the Best and Safer Alternatives for Your Kid’s Oral Health.
If you are looking for the “Best Pediatric Dentist Near Me” or the “Best Pediatric Dentistry Office in Roanoke,” you are just a call away from warmhearted, fun, and specialized care for your child. At Parkway Pediatric Dentistry, we love giving you the best and safer alternatives for your Kid’s dental health.