How Sealants Can Help Your Child

SealantsDrs. William E. Lee, Pada Chalothorn, and William Cartee, Jr., of Lexington, KY, use sealants as a protective layer to prevent bacteria from decaying teeth.

Dental decay is when cavity-causing bacteria from leftover food particles that create holes in teeth because of acid-producing bacteria. Dental sealants are plastic resin coatings that smooth the chewing surfaces of teeth to resistant decay. Sealants can be made of:

  • glass ionomers
  • resin-modified glass ionomers
  • polyacid-modified resins
  • composite resin

Cavities, the cause of decay, develop on chewing surfaces and back teeth, like molars. Bacteria nestle in the tiny grooves, pits and fissures, because food particles get stuck in them.

With children, newly erupted permanent teeth don't hold up well against decay. It's easier to penetrate the hard enamel coating that's supposed to protect teeth in children.

In general, for both children and adults, fluoride-containing products and drinking water washes away food particles and strengthens enamel.

The process of getting a sealant is quite simple and quick.

  1. Your family dentist examines your teeth to check for additional issues, other than cavities of course.
  2. They clean your teeth and dries them
  3. They then apply an acid gel on the surface of your teeth and wait a few moments for the acid to open up already-existing dental pores and then rinse it off.
  4. Finally, your dentist will apply the sealant onto the grooves of your tooth and harden them with a special blue light.

Your Lexington, KY, family dentist advises you take certain preventative measures to protect your teeth:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day
  • Floss every night
  • Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco.
  • Avoid sticky sugary foods
  • Eat a balanced diet
  • Have sealants placed on young permanent teeth

Do you want to speak with your Lexington, KY, family dentists, Drs. William E. Lee, Pada Chalothorn, and William Cartee, Jr., about dental sealants? Just give your dentist a call today!

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