Dental Sealants – Hoover, AL
Protect Your Child’s Teeth from Early Decay
Many parents want nothing more than to help their child maintain optimal oral health, especially during the earliest years of their life. However, tooth decay always seems to find a way, even with daily oral care. If your child is more susceptible to cavities, dental sealants in Hoover offer an effective solution worth exploring!
Why Choose Moulton Dentistry of Hoover for Dental Sealants?
- Added Protection Against Cavities for Years
- Warm and Welcoming Dental Team and Environment
- Runs on Time and Accommodates Your Busy Schedule
How Do Dental Sealants Work?
Dental sealants are made of composite resin material, which is a common substance used in dentistry. While it is most often associated with tooth-colored fillings, it’s also ideal for creating strong barriers in teeth highly susceptible to tooth decay. With just one application, Dr. Marc Moulton, your children’s dentist in Hoover, can easily seal these vulnerable teeth away from harmful bacteria, ensuring years of protection as your child perfects their oral care routine.
Which Teeth Should Be Treated with Sealants?
While the natural flow of saliva throughout the mouth keeps the surfaces of most teeth clean, it doesn’t wash out the pits and grooves of molars and premolars, which are the teeth toward the back of the mouth. Additionally, many children have trouble reaching these teeth to effectively brush and floss them. Therefore, these teeth are most at-risk for decay and could benefit the most from receiving dental sealants.
Who is a Good Candidate for Sealants?
At your child’s checkup, we can examine their mouth to determine whether they’re a good candidate for sealants. We typically recommend sealants for kids who don’t have the best brushing, flossing, or eating habits or those who already have a lot of fillings on their back teeth. While sealants certainly reduce the risk of tooth decay, having them placed is no excuse to neglect brushing and flossing.
How Are Sealants Placed?
Applying sealants is quick and easy, and can be done during your child’s checkup. We begin by thoroughly cleaning the teeth where the sealants will be placed. A solution is then applied to the teeth which will help the sealants better adhere to them. Next, this solution is rinsed off and the teeth are dried. Lastly, the sealants are painted onto the grooves of the teeth and hardened into place with an ultraviolet curing light. It’s that easy!
How Long Do Sealants Last?
As long as your child’s teeth are properly cared for, dental sealants can last for several years before they need to be reapplied. Provided your child brushes and flosses daily and avoids biting down on hard objects, their teeth should be protected from decay during the years when they’re most prone to developing cavities. During your child’s routine appointments, Dr. Moulton can evaluate their sealants to determine if a reapplication is necessary.
Are you interested in an easy way to drastically reduce the number of cavities your son or daughter develops? Give us a call today and ask about dental sealants for your child!