Your child’s teeth are precious, and when it comes to protecting them from tooth decay and harmful bacteria, your children’s dentist in San Antonio may suggest fluoride treatment and dental sealants. But why? Are they necessary? To answer that question, read on to learn more about the benefits of such treatments and how often your kids should be receiving them.
Dental Sealants and Fluoride Treatment: A Dynamic Duo in Fighting Tooth Decay
Don’t be surprised if the next time you take your child in to see their dentist, you are asked about dental sealants and fluoride treatment. While you may not receive these during your appointments, your child’s teeth will greatly benefit from both. This is because young children have a harder time combatting tooth decay. They often don’t brush quite as well as they should, or they may not have proper oral habits that they practice at home. Both types of treatment can provide that added protection needed to prevent tooth decay.
Dental Sealants
If you want your child’s teeth to be protected from bacteria and decay, dental sealants can keep both, as well as food particles, from burrowing into the grooves and pits of their teeth. Placed on the surface of the tooth, it acts as a physical shield against decay. Because your child may have a harder time reaching their back permanent molars while brushing, dental sealants are great for these teeth.
Sealants are typically placed once the first molars are lost, which can occur between the ages of 11 and 13 and can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. They’ve also been found to prevent 80% of childhood cavities.
Fluoride
Fluoride treatments are another added protection against cavities, which is one of the most common diseases among children and adults. When bacteria builds in your mouth and feeds on the food and drinks you consume, the acid it produces wears away at the enamel and causes cavities. Fluoride offers a level of protection against decay because of its ability to strengthen enamel and provide more resistance to acid.
Combatting Decay with Early Treatment
When determining how early your child should begin receiving these treatments, your dentist will more than likely say, “the earlier, the better.” This is because the earlier you can begin to fight cavities, the better off your children’s oral health will be. Dental sealants can last 5 to 10 years but can be easily reapplied should a sealant wear off.
Fluoride treatments can be administered each time your child visits his or her dentist. Since it is recommended they see a dentist for regular checkups every six months, the hygienist can apply a topical fluoride treatment after cleaning.
Help your children combat tooth decay from an early age. There’s no better way to protect their teeth than with frequent visits to the dentist and the use of fluoride and dental sealants.
About the Practice
At Laith Family Dentistry, we know your children’s teeth need proper maintenance and treatment. This is why you can expect us to offer the highest quality preventative care. From general cleanings to fluoride treatments, to dental sealants, we’ll make sure your kids are protected from harmful bacteria and tooth decay. To learn more about how we can help you and your child, contact us at (210) 782-0008.
