This blog post from St.Mary’s Dental in Mechanicsville focuses on a preventative treatment often used to help impede the development of cavities in children.
Dental sealants are a thin coat of clear resin that is applied to the biting surfaces of teeth, usually the rear molars. The back teeth are more prone to cavities because is difficult to reach them with a tooth brush and the surfaces contain pits and grooves that easily trap bacteria.
Dental sealants fill in the pits and grooves on the rear molars to create a smooth surface. We most often recommend sealants for children’s permanent back teeth, though sometimes they are used for adults, too.
Parents may not realize how quickly a cavity can form in a young child’s mouth. Many kids develop cavities even before they start kindergarten!
It is vital that parents start regular dental visits early for their toddlers and young children. The American Dental Association advises that a child’s initial dental exam take place soon after the first tooth erupts, but no later than the toddler’s first birthday.
Dental sealants protect teeth that have no decay (primary prevention) and also prevent further decay progression in teeth that show very early signs of disease (secondary prevention).
At St. Mary’s Dental in Mechanicsville, we use dental sealants to safeguard the teeth of our youngest patients. Our services include general and family dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today!
Contact St. Mary’s Dental:
301-884-3248
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
28169 Old Village Rd
Mechanicsville, Maryland
20659
