Children can be more prone to cavities for a variety of reasons including a reduced skill set in performing oral hygiene and irregular diet choices that may include higher sugar content. Another reason could be the natural shape and complexity of the grooves of their adult molars which start to erupt into the mouth around the age of six. These teeth have crevices in them where bacteria can hide and multiply as most toothbrushes cannot reach down deep in there. These small crevices are called pits and fissures and this is a common place for cavities to form. This is where sealants can be used to keep those cavities from forming.
Another reason cavities pop up more commonly in children is their diet. Often times young children snack throughout the day. Each time they eat or drink something which contains acid or sugar, it can sit on the teeth for up to an hour or more causing erosion or weakening of the enamel. Getting children to brush twice a day can be a difficult but essential task and expecting them to brush throughout the day is unrealistic with school and after school activities. In addition, many children perform brushing themselves and are not able to brush the back teeth as well as they should be because it is more difficult to see that area of the mouth. Sealants can be the answer to this problem, warding off the cavities and protecting the teeth.
“Sealants are fast and easy to do. They are safe and very effective. They play a huge role in reducing cavity formation in our young patients.” said Dr. Mak.
Sealants act as a barrier between the tooth and bacteria. Basically, they fill the tiny grooves in the teeth or the pits and fissures to keep bacteria out. The sealant is applied to the biting surface of the tooth (usually on the back molars) that are hard to get with the toothbrush, although they can be used on other teeth as well. Sealants are painless and can be done right in the dentist chair. They are usually just placed on adult teeth and only on baby teeth in rare circumstances.
It is very common for your pediatric dentist to recommend that your child get sealants placed on the molars to help prevent cavities from even forming in areas very prone to cavities. If you have any questions about sealants, please don’t hesitate to ask us more about them at your next visit or give us a call and one of our friendly staff or doctors would be happy to answer your questions.
Don’t forget! We are celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month by offering 50% off sealants. Contact us to make an appointment today.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
