It goes without saying that parents want to do everything they can to keep their children healthy and thriving. This often consists of staying vigilant about their diet, education, and general health. An equally important part of this is providing children with fantastic oral health resources. To achieve this, you need to be sure your child understands the importance of brushing and flossing twice a day. Moreover, you should be bringing your child to the dentist every six months for a checkup and professional cleaning. Not only is this a great time for an oral healthcare professional to make sure their smile looks healthy, but this is also an opportunity for your child to receive dental sealants and fluoride treatment. In today’s blog, your  Kansas City, MO dentist talks about both of these tools and how they can benefit small smiles.

Understanding Dental Sealants

Sealants are pieces of film that go over your child’s molars. They are thin coatings, made from a biocompatible acrylic, that goes onto their teeth as a liquid gel and then harden. They function as a layer of protection for their back teeth. They are placed on the molars because this is where the vast majority of chewing is done. Moreover, this is a more difficult spot for children to reach while brushing. Once the sealants have been applied, they work as a barrier between their teeth and food particles. Consequently, this prevents bacteria from settling into their teeth, ultimately preventing decay. In fact, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), they can reduce the risk of this decay by up to 80%. With this in mind, they are an effective, yet simple way to make sure your child’s teeth are protected.

Fluoride Helps Too

In addition to providing dental sealants, we also suggest a fluoride treatment for your children. Enamel is the outermost, protective layer of teeth and while it is very strong, it can still weaken over time. Fluoride treatment helps strengthen the enamel, making their teeth more resistant to decay and other damage. This is a safe, effective procedure that will set your child up for ongoing oral health.

Practice Preventative Care

The best approach to a healthy smile is through preventative care. This consists of preventing problems before they occur. A big component of this is bringing your child in for regularly scheduled cleanings and checkups, allowing a highly-skilled professional to use specialized tools to remove food particles and bacteria that brushing simply can’t reach. Moreover, checkups allow a dentist to make sure no serious issues are developing. Catching oral problems early is key to preventing larger issues from forming and causing trouble in the future.

Contact Us To Learn More

If you have any questions about children’s dentistry, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO by calling 816-942-7669.