Sealants For Baby Teeth: Does Your Child Need Them?
One misconception that you may have about baby teeth is that they do not need to be cared for like adult teeth. They'll eventually come out, which can cause you to have the mindset that proper oral health is not necessary. However, baby teeth are just as prone to getting cavities, which can lead to pain that needs to be addressed by a dentist. That is why you may want to consider sealants for your child's baby teeth. Here are some key things you need to know about them:
What Are Dental Sealants?
A dental sealant is an additional layer of protection for a tooth; think of it like an additional layer or protective enamel that is added to each tooth. A dental sealant will protect the tooth from bacteria, erosion, and decay, and it can be applied to any tooth, no matter how old the patient is or if it is an adult or baby tooth. Others will never be able to notice these sealants, since the color blends in with the natural tooth surface.
Why Use Dental Sealants On Baby Teeth?
While baby teeth eventually come out and are replaced with adult teeth, this first set of teeth is still susceptible to damage. They may not be permanent, but a lack of brushing can still lead to decay that will cause major cavities. If the decay reaches the tooth's pulp it can even require a root canal or the tooth may need to be removed prematurely. An infection has the possibility to spread through the mouth and affect other teeth, causing more pain and complications.
Missing teeth can also affect how future teeth grow in. Teeth can move in the mouth without teeth next to them to support them, and it could be years until that adult tooth grows in its place. This will cause a greater need to get braces once all of the adult teeth have grown in.
Sealants can help prevent this problem, especially when kids are young and are not the best at brushing their teeth.
Thankfully, it is easy to get dental sealants for a child. The dentist will perform an initial exam to make sure that the teeth are healthy, perform a cleaning to get rid of tartar and plaque, and then apply the sealants. It is a simple procedure that will help your child's teeth remain healthy during their early years.
Have questions about sealants? Reach out to your pediatric dentist today.
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