Dental Sealants Can Help Protect Your Child’s Back Teeth

By the middle of their adolescent years, a child’s baby teeth should all have been replaced by the 32 permanent teeth that will serve him or her throughout adulthood.

The molars and premolars have ridges that allow the teeth to chew food and make swallowing and digestion simpler. These ridges can also provide places for acid, bacteria and plaque to accumulate. In some cases, brushing alone may not completely remove these particles, which contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. Dental sealants may be used to remedy this issue.

During your child’s routine cleaning and exam, our friendly dentist, Dr. Chad Gubler might recommend applying dental sealants to your child’s back teeth. Sealants are a special type of dental resin that your dentist applies to the molars and premolars to form a shield against acid, bacteria and plaque.

Dental sealants can last up to 10 years before replacement is needed. While sealants are frequently used to help protect children’s teeth, cavity-prone adults can also profit from them.

Though dental sealants are great at protecting teeth, they should never be used as a replacement for brushing and flossing. Sealants merely protect the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars. Brushing and flossing are essential aspects of your dental hygiene.

If you live in the Henderson, Nevada, area and you are concerned your child’s oral health, we encourage you to call (702) 558-9977 to set up a dental checkup at Gubler Dental. We’re more than happy to help, and we look forward to your visit!