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No matter how old they are, a parent wants to protect their child. Keeping them safe and healthy can also include protecting their smiles. Keeping your child’s smile healthy is not something you have to do alone. By teaching your child good oral health habits at a young age, they can learn to protect their own smile. Routine dental visits allow for checkups and cleanings to keep their young smile clear of plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Your dentist can also offer a little extra smile protection in the form of dental sealants.  

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

Dental sealants are very thin layers of a a bio-compatible acrylic that is painted directly onto the chewing surfaces of teeth. This can be especially helpful for a child’s smile and for teeth that do a lot of chewing, like molars. Sealants provide a protective barrier against plaque, reducing the amount that actually touches the surfaces of teeth. Plaque is that sticky bio-film made of bacteria that clings to teeth. It can create acidic attacks on the teeth to cause tooth decay. Sealants take the brunt of these attacks and essentially slow the process of enamel erosion by making it harder for oral bacteria to get to the teeth. Because sealants are biodegradable, they will disappear on their own, usually after around ten years. During routine exams, your dentist can check on the status of the sealants to make sure that they are still providing protection.

Why Good For Children?

Children are still learning dexterity and are often not the most efficient at keeping their mouths clean.  Teaching your child good oral health and hygiene habits can be the best way to protect their smiles for life, but dental sealants can just add that extra bit of protection.

We can help protect your family’s smiles

Protecting little ones’ smiles can lead to a lifetime of good oral health. To schedule a consultation, call Mansfield Dental Associates in Mansfield, TX, at 817-473-6227. We proudly welcome patients from Mansfield, TX and all surrounding areas, including South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian, and other neighboring communities.