Do you keep a close watch on your child’s smile? Do you feel concerned nearly every moment of the day about protecting every single inch of your little one? Of course you do. You’re a parent! When it comes to keeping those newly developing teeth in tip-top shape, you may feel like you don’t have as much control as you would like. You want your child to master excellent brushing habits but it takes some time. Rather than worrying about hard-to-reach teeth, we encourage you to learn about the benefits of dental sealants. They may truly help take a load off your mind. Consider answers to some frequently asked questions:

Dental Sealants FAQ

Question: My child brushes his teeth every day, why are sealants important?

Answer: Your child is still learning how to take excellent care of his or her teeth. Even with your little one’s best efforts, plaque may still remain on back teeth because they are simply hard to reach and difficult to clean – even for adults. Molars are full of tiny crevices where plaque can easily hide, which leads to tooth decay. Sealants can help prevent this from happening because they will create a barrier over the chewing surfaces of these teeth.

Question: Will you need to numb my child’s tooth before the procedure?

Answer: No, anesthetic is not necessary for sealants. You can rest easy knowing that the procedure simply requires us to clean the target teeth and gently paint on the sealant. It’s quick and comfortable.

Question: Will I need to replace the dental sealants during each preventive visit?

Answer: No, dental sealants have a reputation for living a long, helpful life. In most cases, you can expect them to last for around five to 10 years.

Question: What happens when my child gets older? Will you need to remove the sealants?

Answer: No, they will wear away naturally over time. We will monitor your child’s sealants during checkups, so we may touch them up if necessary.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.