Sealants
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Tooth Sealants for Children in Chicago
Sometimes brushing is not enough. Everyone has hard-to-reach spots in their mouth and brushing doesn't always fully clean those difficult places. When that happens, you are at risk of tooth decay. Using sealants on your teeth gives you an extra line of defense against tooth decay.
Dental sealant is a plastic resin that bonds to the deep grooves in your tooth's chewing surface. When sealing a tooth, the grooves of your teeth are filled and the tooth surface becomes smoother — and less likely to harbor plaque. With sealants, tooth brushing becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay. Tooth sealants for kids and children can provide 100% protection from dental decay or "cavities" on the chewing surface. Research has shown that when placed over very minimal dental decay, the decay will no longer progress.
Dental sealants are usually applied to children's teeth as a preventative measure during the years of most likely tooth decay. However, adult's teeth can also be sealed. It is more common to seal "permanent" teeth rather than "baby" teeth, but every person has unique needs. Drs. Elliot and Shah will recommend sealants on a case-by-case basis.
Tooth sealants for children generally last from 3 to 5 years. However, it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact from their childhood. A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact so if your sealant comes off you must let your dentist know.
Contact us today to talk to our highly experienced dentists about having dental sealants applied to protect child’s teeth from tooth decay.