At Kid’s Choice Dental we believe preventative measures are the best way to avoid cavities and other dental diseases. This is why we offer many different options we can implement to help delay dental disease for young children. One of those options that Kid’s Choice Dental offers are dental sealants for kids in Seattle, Pierce & King Counties WA. This helps to protect premolars and molars from developing cavities.
Composed of a composite resin, dental sealant is a thin coating that a dental professional applies to the fissures and natural grooves of the back teeth to provide a barrier of protection. This barrier prevents bacteria, acids, and other tooth-damaging sources from affecting the area that has a coating of dental sealant. Using a dental sealant helps to prevent tooth decay and cavities from forming on those teeth that have this coating.
According to the CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental sealants reduce cavities by up 80% for up to 2 years following the application and up to 50% for about 4 years. Most cavities occur in the back teeth, known as premolars and molars, and providing this additional protection saves both money and pain. Cavities can cause intense mouth pain and dental treatments such as fillings, root canals, or crowns can become costly. This is all avoidable with proper preventative dentistry.
The process of applying the sealant to the premolars and molars is painless and rather quick. Considering the benefits of the procedure, there really isn’t anything that should be a concern. The dental professional will first clean and dry the teeth, then place cotton around the teeth that will receive the sealant.
Then they will apply an acidic solution to the area that will etch the teeth and create a rougher surface to allow the sealant to adhere better. The acidic liquid will then be rinsed off. The teeth are dried again and new cotton is put into place. Then the dentist will start to apply the dental sealant to the surface of the premolars and molars. The sealant will then harden to protect the teeth.
Dental sealants for kids are just one of the many choices we provide the parents of our patients. We understand that providing a comfortable and kid-friendly environment is only one of the ways we can make dental offices less intimidating. Another is to reduce the number of visits that result in invasive procedures that can cause pain or fear, such as filling cavities, root canals, or other treatments. Allow Kid’s Choice Dental to help make your child’s smile the best it can be. Contact us today.
