Between diets high in sugary snacks and poor brushing and flossing habits, your little ones could be at risk for developing cavities. In order to safeguard smiles and reduce the risk of tooth decay, we may offer dental sealants for children in Mansfield, TX. Find out how we use this unique preventive treatment to protect smiles from cavities and more!

The Causes of Cavities

How does a cavity form in a child’s smile? The outermost layer of the tooth is the enamel, an incredibly strong material designed to withstand bite forces and protect the teeth from bacteria. However, when we consume foods and drinks high in starch and sugar, and don’t take time to properly brush and floss, then bacteria can break down food particles. This process increases oral acidity and coats the teeth in a sticky layer of plaque. Over time, the enamel begins to weaken and erode, exposing the sensitive inner dentin beneath and allowing a cavity to form. Eventually, the cavity could cause toothaches and tooth sensitivity in your child’s smile. The risk of infection and even premature tooth loss could increase unless the issue is treated.

Safeguarding Smiles with Dental Sealants

What if we could help prevent the onset of cavities? For many children, reaching the rear teeth when brushing and flossing is difficult, which means food could remain trapped between these teeth. Bacteria then begins to feed on the trapped bits of foods. However, a dental sealant is an acrylic layer we add to these teeth, which prevents food from ever becoming stuck between them. We will examine your child’s smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras to identify cavity risk. If your child is likely to develop cavities, we may recommend the dental sealants. The sealants can last for several years and will wear away naturally with time. Placement only takes a few minutes, as we dry the teeth, apply the acrylic layers, and then cure them with a special light.

Protect Your Smile at Home

In addition to our preventive procedures, we also suggest parents make sure their children brush twice a day for two minutes using a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Kids also end to floss before bed, and to lower the risk of tooth decay, kids should enjoy diets with fewer sugary foods and drinks. If you have any questions about our preventive approach to children’s dentistry, then please contact our team today.

Does Your Child Need Preventive Care?

Bring your little one into the office so we can help ensure he or she enjoys optimal oral health throughout childhood. To learn more about children’s dental care, then schedule a consultation by calling our dentist’s office in Mansfield, TX, today at 817-473-6227.