With the passage of time, the awareness about application of dental sealants has increased. Yet there are people who are not familiar with the procedure and it’s important for them to gain an insight on sealants and their benefits before they take their children for getting the sealants.
What Is a Dental Sealant?
A dental sealant is a protective layer that’s placed on the children’s teeth for the purpose of protecting the teeth from bacteria and food that causes cavities. According to the dentist in NJ 07960, the sealants are used along with a comprehensive dental care routine which includes brushing, flossing, fluoride treatments as well as a healthy diet. While brushing and flossing are essential preventive measure to fight against decay, the dental sealants offer an additional protection for the grooved areas of teeth.
Which Teeth Should Be Sealed and When?
The number of tooth that needs to be sealed depends on how good care you child takes of his teeth. However, it is said that for providing maximum protection, the dental sealants should be applied as early as possible once the permanent tooth erupts. This can be when your child turns 6 as this is the age when most children have their permanent tooth erupted.
Who Applies Dental Sealants?
The dental sealants are placed by a trained and experienced dental professional during your visit to the dental clinic. Before the dental sealants are placed, the teeth need to be examined and cleaned properly. Once the teeth dry, a material is placed on them. The tooth is again rinsed and dried off. The next step is to place the sealant on the biting surface of the tooth followed by placing a special light above the tooth so that the sealant gets hardened. The sealant procedure is very quick and absolutely painless as it is not invasive in nature. The only requirement is for the child to stay still during the procedure. Once the sealants are applied, the child can enjoy good oral health for years provided he follows good oral care routine.