3 Advantages of Sealants for Your Child’s Smile

Having kids means making decisions — more than you could have ever imagined. You scrutinize everything from the clothes they wear to the toys they play with. It makes perfect sense that you’d pause to consider adding something to their oral hygiene routine. 

Our dentists at Rifkin Dental in Carmel and Yorktown Heights, New York, love helping parents and caregivers make these tough decisions. In this blog, we tackle one of the questions we get asked most often: Does my kid really need dental sealants?

Here are three reasons we know the answer is yes. 

1. Cavity prevention

Far and away, the number one reason we recommend dental sealants is to prevent cavities. Cavities (you may also hear them called caries or tooth decay) are the most common chronic disease in children in the United States. 

Your child’s teeth may be small, but they have plenty of nooks and crannies to hide bacteria and other harmful substances and create plaque buildup. As the invisible film of plaque covers your child’s teeth, it starts to feed on the sugars and starch your child eats before releasing acids that erode their enamel and create small openings called cavities. 

These cavities are the first phase of progressive tooth decay, which, in the worst cases, leads to tooth loss. 

That's why we want to beat plaque to the punch by covering your child’s teeth with dental sealants. 

With sealants (and regular checkups and cleanings), you can significantly reduce your child’s risk for painful, harmful cavities. 

2. Avoid the need for fillings

Even the smallest cavities must be addressed quickly. Unfortunately, the only way to treat a cavity is with a filling — and fillings require much more preparation than dental sealants. 

We have to prepare your child’s tooth and drill through their cavity to remove all the debris. Even if your child is comfortable in the dentist’s chair, this can be an overwhelming process to go through. 

In contrast, dental sealants are noninvasive and completely painless. Our pediatric dentists are specially trained to work with children and make applying sealants as easy as brushing their teeth. 

3. A healthy smile for the long haul

Because tooth problems can begin so young, it can be difficult for your child to get a handle on their oral health. This is especially true for children with a family history of tooth decay or teeth with deep pits and divots. 

Dental sealants are the simplest way to get your child off on the right foot as far as their oral health is concerned. 

What else can I do?

In addition to opting for dental sealants for your child, we recommend making and keeping regular checkups and cleaning appointments. At every appointment, we carefully examine your child’s teeth and completely remove any plaque that’s managed to accumulate. 

It’s also a good idea to:

• Make daily brushing and flossing a priority
• Limit the amount of sugary drinks and treats your child eats
• Drink tap water with fluoride
• Help your child with their oral hygiene routine until they’re six years old 
• Know if your child has an elevated risk for tooth decay

If you have more questions about our pediatric dentistry services or want to know more about how you can support your child’s oral health, schedule an appointment online or over the phone today at our Rifkin Dental location closest to you.