How Dental Sealants Improve Your Child’s Oral Health

Children who have only cared for their own teeth independently for a few years often struggle to do a good job, especially with the back molar teeth. These teeth are difficult to reach with a standard toothbrush and may have no space in between them for a string of dental floss to fit.Dental sealants in Sugar Land TX provide the extra protection your child needs to keep their teeth cavity-free.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are protective coatings that prevent bacteria from invading the chewing surface of the back teeth. The molars can be especially challenging to keep clean due to the many ridges and grooves they contain. Dr. Alan Imrek paints a thin, liquid coating onto each of the back teeth that forms a seal to keep bacteria from causing decay. After applying the liquid sealant to each tooth, Dr. Imrek shines a curing light on it to speed up the process of drying and hardening.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Sealants?

Unless parents voice an objection to Dr. Imrek applying dental sealants, he will do so at most biannual cleaning and exam appointments for children ages six to 14. This eight-year period is a common time for children to develop tooth decay that requires fillings.

However, he does not limit dental sealants to only pediatric patients with permanent teeth. The treatment may be appropriate for those who still have primary teeth, teenagers, and adults. If you struggle with frequent tooth decay, please let us know if you would like to have dental sealants applied.

How Dr. Imrek Applies Dental Sealants

The first step is to clean your child’s teeth thoroughly, followed by drying the teeth and placing a piece of cotton gauze near the treated tooth to ensure that it stays dry. He then paints a small amount of etching solution on the chewing surface of the tooth. After rinsing and drying your child’s teeth, he applies sealant material directly to the enamel where it bonds to the tooth. The last step is to use the curing light.

Could your child benefit fromdental sealants in Sugar Land TX? Please schedule a cleaning and exam at your convenience.