Dental Sealants – Castle Rock, CO
Give Your Child the Protection of Dental Sealants
Nothing is more important than the health and development of your child’s smile. Unfortunately, there is a lingering risk that can harm their oral health. Tooth decay is the most chronic condition children in America face. In fact, it is more common than asthma. Although it is preventable, 42% of children under the age of 11 have had at least one cavity. You can reduce your child’s risk of tooth decay by as much as 81% with dental sealants in Castle Rock. At Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Benzley will give your child an added layer of protection for a cavity-free smile, using dental sealants in our Castle Rock, CO pediatric dental office.
Why Choose Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for Dental Sealants?
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Easily Applied
in a Single Visit -
Can Provide Up to
10 Years of Protection -
Affordable and Often
Covered by Insurance
Why are Dental Sealants Important?
Every day your child’s teeth are bombarded by harmful sugars found in the foods and drinks they consume. When the sugars combine with their saliva, it turns into an acid that slowly eats away at their enamel until a small hole develops, called a cavity.
Although tooth decay can occur in any tooth, 90% of cavities form on the chewing surfaces of the molars. Children are prone to cavities because they lack the correct oral hygiene techniques necessary to remove food particles from the deep crevasses of the molars.
A dental sealant acts as a protective barrier between cavity-causing foods and their enamel to reduce their risk of tooth decay when applied by a pediatric dentist in Castle Rock.
Give Your Child the Protection of Dental Sealants
Dr. Benzley can apply sealants to your child’s teeth during their routine preventive appointments. He recommends children between the ages of 6 and 14 have them applied to protect their teeth during the most cavity-prone years.
Applying dental sealants is a simple and pain-free treatment. After your child’s teeth are cleaned, Dr. Benzley applies an acidic solution to their teeth to ensure a strong bond between their enamel and the sealant. The clear plastic coating is painted on their teeth and cured with a special light. They blend in with their enamel, so no one will notice they are there.
Your child’s teeth can be protected from cavities for an average of 10 years with the sealants. They are durable to withstand everyday chewing; however, they can become damaged or fall off over time. To promote their longevity, it is best for your child to maintain their oral hygiene habits at home and visit our pediatric dental office twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. During their semi-annual appointment, Dr. Benzley checks their sealants to ensure they are undamaged. If one is compromised, he can easily replace it.
Encourage a Cavity-Free Smile
You can help keep your child’s smile cavity-free by encouraging a diet that is limited in sugars and starches. Besides brushing their teeth twice per day and flossing every night, do not forget to schedule their routine appointment every 6 months.
At Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Benzley helps you nurture the development and health of your child’s smile thought preventive dental care. Contact our pediatric dental office today to learn more about the protection of dental sealants.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Sealants
At Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we can give your child the protection of dental sealants to keep their smile safe from cavities. This reliable treatment has proved to be extremely safe and effective for children, but we understand you may have some questions about it. We always want you to feel 100% confident in any service you choose for your son or daughter, so we’ve gathered some common questions about dental sealants below. If you don’t see the information you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we’ll be more than happy to help.
Is Sealing a Tooth Better Than Filling a Cavity?
As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The same holds true for your child’s smile! Dental sealants are a fast and easy way to prevent cavities before they have a chance to start. The sealants are painted onto the teeth and don’t require any drilling at all, and they are usually less expensive. What’s more, teeth without decay are stronger and healthier than teeth with fillings.
Why Is Important to Protect Baby Teeth from Cavities?
Baby teeth naturally fall out over time, but it’s still important to keep them healthy and cavity-free. Cavities in baby teeth are just as painful as tooth decay in adult teeth, and they can make it more difficult for your child to eat comfortably, smile confidently, or concentrate in class. More importantly, untreated decay can lead to infected baby teeth, which can harm other parts of the body and negatively influence oral development. Even though baby teeth are more vulnerable to tooth decay than permanent teeth, dental sealants can go a tremendously long way in protecting your child’s smile from cavities.
Do Dental Sealants Make Teeth Look or Feel Different?
Sealants are usually clear, white, or opaque. They should be virtually impossible to notice when your child speaks, eats, or smiles. Since they’re designed to fill in the grooves and pits in your child’s teeth, they may be able to feel them with their tongues for a short while after placement. However, dental sealants are very thin and smooth, so your child will likely forget they’re even there!
When Should My Child Get Dental Sealants?
Practically speaking, a patient of any age can get dental sealants to lower their risk of cavities. However, they’ve been proven to be the most effective when applied onto the permanent molars very soon after eruption. In most cases, we’ll recommend that your child get dental sealants when their 1st molars come in around the age of 6, and then again on their 2nd molars around the age of 12.
If My Water Has Fluoride, Should My Child Still Get Dental Sealants?
In short, yes! While fluoride and dental sealants both work to prevent cavities, they do so in different ways. Dental sealants fill in and shield the hard-to-clean areas of your child’s smile where cavity-causing bacteria is likely to accumulate. Fluoride on the other hand can be absorbed by enamel and used to help make teeth stronger and more resistant to decay. This helpful mineral is found in dental products like toothpaste as well as most tap water sources. Utilizing both dental sealants and fluoride is an excellent way to give your child maximum protection against tooth decay.
