Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Dental Sealants for Pediatric Patients

Almost half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth.  Fresh Meadows Dental Care recommends dental sealants to our adolescent patients to preserve the teeth and tooth enamel.  Regular oral hygiene is important for children to establish, but a sealant is the best defense against early tooth decay. 


Most tooth decay in children and teenagers occurs on the chewing surfaces of molars, where the pits and grooves trap food and bacteria.  Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14.  The best time to have a sealant placed is when the molars first come in to ensure they are protected early.


Sealants are applied to surfaces of these molars like paint. When the plastic resin is applied, it fills any pits and grooves on the surface and then hardens. Now the surface is protected from bits of food being stuck, so bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay, and tooth enamel is protected from plaque and acids.  Sealants can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years and can be reapplied if necessary.


To learn more about dental sealants and all the services we provide, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.

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