Have you considered sealants for your child? Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating (made of plastic) that cover your teeth, defending them against cavities.
While there is no substitute for brushing and flossing, and they are the first and best tools in your arsenal against decay, sealants can help keep cavities from forming by blocking the pits and fissures of your teeth–especially on molars. As a matter of fact, when applied on molars, studies show that sealants reduce the chance of decay by 80%.
Sealants are not just for permanent teeth. Before the adult teeth come in the baby teeth are important placeholders that need to stay healthy. That is why many parents opt for dental sealants on their children’s teeth as soon as a child’s teeth emerge. A child’s first molars come in between the ages of 5-7, and the secondary molars appear between 11-14. When this occurs, they are candidates for sealants.
Of course, dental sealants are not just for children. Adults can also get them and benefit–especially if they have deep pits and grooves in their teeth. Check with your dentist to see if sealants are a good choice for you.
How it works:
-The teeth that are chosen for sealants are cleaned.
-After a thorough drying, soft cotton is placed to surround the tooth to keep it dry.
-A roughening solution is put on the surface of the tooth so that the sealant will adhere.
-The dentist will paint sealant material onto the enamel of the tooth. The sealant will bond and harden to the tooth.
If you’re interested in dental sealants for you or your child, call Dr. Nidal Obeid for more information. Please contact Family Dental of Lincoln to make an appointment at: 773-561-5106, or come by our office in Chicago, Illinois.
