Dental Sealants
Dental Sealants in Tracy, CA
Miller’s Family Dentistry offers dental sealants in Tracy, CA, to help you and your family maintain a healthy smile. Sealants are an effective preventive method against tooth decay and cavities. They seal off the surface of teeth and partially fill the pits and fissures in teeth, making them easier to clean.
What are Dental Sealants for Children?
Pits and deep fissures are areas in the mouth that are hard to clean and are difficult to reach with brushing alone. That is why we recommend that your child get a dental sealant applied to help protect their teeth from cavities and decay.
Dental sealants are protective coatings applied directly onto the chewing surfaces of teeth. They can be used on all baby teeth or permanent molars to protect them against dental caries by partially filling pits and fissures where bacteria can hide and cause cavities.
The sealant acts as a barrier between the food and the tooth. When plaque builds up on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, it creates acid, which eats away at the enamel. If this happens, the tooth becomes weak and susceptible to dental decay. By applying a dental sealant, the tooth enamel is protected from these acids.
How Can a Sealant Benefit My Child?
There are multiple reasons that you should consider getting your child a dental sealant.
It helps protect your child's primary and adult teeth from decay.
It helps keep harmful bacteria out of the area around the gum line.
It helps prevent future problems such as gum disease and tooth loss.
How are Sealants Applied?
Our pediatric dentist will first clean your child’s teeth thoroughly to remove any debris and tartar build-up. Next, they will put an etching gel on the tooth to help the sealant bond quickly to the teeth. Then, they will apply a thin layer of liquid resin over the entire tooth surface of the primary and permanent tooth and harden it using a special light. After the sealant material has been cured, we will give your child a gentle cleaning and polish to ensure no bubbles or air pockets are left behind. Application of dental sealant is a quick and painless process that takes about 15 minutes.
How Long Does a Sealant Last?
Sealants are plastic coatings lasting anywhere from two to five years, depending on how well your child practices good oral hygiene. We recommend that children brush twice daily and use fluoride toothpaste. Also, if your child does not have regular check-ups, we suggest scheduling one every six months so that we can monitor the effectiveness of the sealant.
Book an Appointment Today!
Your child’s first dental visit is an important milestone. Our dental professionals at Miller’s Family Dentistry want to ensure your child has a fun and unforgettable dental care experience at their first appointment. We offer a wide range of pediatric dentistry procedures like dental sealants to help them have healthy, beautiful smiles for years to come. Visit our dental office today to schedule an appointment!