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Dental Sealants help Prevent Cavities on the Biting Surface of Your Child’s Back Teeth

February 19, 2016 4:40 am
As they age your child’s 20 baby teeth fall out to make room for their 32 permanent teeth. Most children have their adult molars and premolars come in during early adolescence. It’s natural for some of the biting surface of your child’s back teeth to have deep pits and contours. Some of the deeper spots might be hard to keep clean. If food particles and plaque get stuck in these areas, it will harbor bacteria and foster tooth decay. At the same time, it’s not uncommon for cavities in these areas to require large fillings to repair the problem areas. These large fillings could be problematic later on in their life. If your dentist sees that your child has deep pits on the biting surfaces of their back teeth, or that your child is having problems cleaning these areas, they might recommend dental sealants. Dental sealants a durable plastic-resin that your dentist paints onto the biting surface of your child’s back teeth. A special ultraviolet light is used to harden the resin. If plaque and food particles get stuck in the deep contours, the resin will prevent bacteria from directly attacking the enamel biting surface. Your dentist can usually apply the sealants after your child’s regular dental checkup. The dental sealants are very durable and can help to protect the biting surface of your child’s teeth for several years. If you have any questions about dental sealants for yourself or your child, please call us at 870-201-8863 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping your child protect their teeth for the long term!

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