With the weather warming up and flowers beginning to bloom, the last thing you want to put on your calendar is a trip to the dentist to get your child’s cavities filled. Thankfully, there are great ways to prevent cavities in children and in adults. Besides brushing and flossing, sealants are one effective way to guard teeth from decay.
What are sealants?
Sealants are a filling material that is placed on the chewing surface of the teeth to prevent cavities. They are most commonly used on teeth that have deeper grooves, such as molars.
How effective are sealants?
Sealants can be incredibly effective at preventing cavities. In fact, studies have shown that school age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.
When should sealants be applied?
The earlier sealants are applied, the more protection they can offer the teeth. Typically, a child’s first molars come in around age 6 and their second molars appear around age 12. Sealing these teeth immediately after they come in offers the most protection against cavities. Sealing teeth early often prevents more costly time intensive procedures in the future.
If you are interested in sealants for you or your family, be sure to ask about them at your next appointment or give us a call today at (614) 459-5511.
