There are many ways to help your child enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile, including brushing, flossing, and visiting a  children's dentist twice a year. A dental sealant — a thin, tooth-colored plastic resin coating — offers another effective method of maintaining your little one’s oral health. If you’re considering this treatment for your child, here’s what they will gain from it.

What Are the Advantages of Dental Sealants for Kids?

1. Prevents Cavities 

Dental sealants fit over the molars, filling the grooves, pits, and fissures in the back teeth. Smoothing these indentations prevents food particles from becoming stuck. Otherwise, the bacteria in the plaque would have enough time to feed on the lingering matter and produce decay-causing acids. These microorganisms are especially fond of sugary foods and beverages.

Coating the molars helps your child avoid plaque buildup, reducing their risk of cavities. When teeth decay, holes caused by a worsening condition can arise. Cavities also affect sensitive inner tooth materials, including dentin and dental pulp, leading to painful toothaches.  

2. Makes Teeth Easier to Clean

Many foods get lodged in the back teeth, especially if they’re sticky and crunchy. As children learn to brush and floss properly, they commonly miss a few spots, leaving behind particles and contributing to tooth decay. 

Luckily, dental sealants prevent such problems. They block food from getting stuck, making your kid’s oral care routine easier. Because these coatings last up to nine years, they are recommended once your child’s permanent teeth erupt. 

3. Reduces Gum Disease Risk

When plaque builds up, it irritates the soft tissue and increases the risk of gingivitis. If it doesn’t get reversed with healthy dental care habits, it evolves into gum disease, a chronic oral issue that causes recession and inflammation. 

With sealants, your child avoids having plaque attack their tooth enamel. As a result, they reduce the chance of the biofilm building up along the gumline, lowering the risk of gingivitis.

If dental sealants are what your child needs, make an appointment at Dentistry For Kids in Pearl City, HI. Led by renowned pediatric dentist Paul K. Seo, DDS, MS, this pediatric dentistry practice provides a welcoming environment for children to learn about the importance of oral health. They’ll also create a personalized dental care plan to help your little one maintain a healthy smile. Call (808) 486-8881 today to schedule an appointment, and visit the website to download a new patient form.