Children are at higher risk for cavities and tooth decay than adults because their enamel is thinner and they tend to eat a more sugary and acidic diet. Tooth decay happens because of inadequate oral hygiene practices.
When you don’t brush and floss often enough or if you do it improperly, you will leave food particles behind. This causes plaque buildup, which is made of bacteria. This bacteria will feed off of the food that was left behind in the mouth, converting sugars into acids that break down the enamel. Over time, this forms holes in the teeth, known as cavities. This is why eating a lot of sugar increases your risk of cavities. Don’t worry, your Jupiter pediatric dentist can help.
Remember how we said left-behind food particles are the culprit? Well, the rear molars have significantly more pits and grooves than your other teeth. This makes them prone to trapping food and bacteria and it also makes it more difficult to clean these surfaces.
Because the surface isn’t smooth, you have to spend extra time with your toothbrush to work into the pits and grooves. Dental sealants are clear plastic coatings that are placed on these molars to trap out plaque, food particles, and acids. They also make the tooth much smoother so you can easily clean them.
Sealants greatly reduce your child’s risk of developing cavities, especially in the first 2-4 years of placement. Two years after placing dental sealants, you block out 80% of cavities. In four years, you block out 50%. The procedure is also minimally invasive, painless, and blends in with natural teeth. It only takes a few minutes to apply them, they’re completely safe, and they don’t require any drilling or anesthetic.
We always recommend that parents have their children get dental sealants as soon as their first and second permanent molars come through at 6 and 12 years old. This will make them as effective as possible in preventing cavities before they ever begin.
While this is the ideal time to place them, it’s never too late. Even adults can get dental sealants at any time in life. When these molars first erupt, the risk of tooth decay greatly increases. By getting dental sealants proactively, you are protecting your child’s oral health and saving time and money on complex and invasive procedures that could have been needed later on.
Dental sealants can last for up to 10 years, but they can also become damaged, chipped, or dislodged much sooner than that depending on your oral hygiene and lifestyle. This is why you must attend regular dental checkups and cleanings so you know when you need to have them repaired or replaced.
To care for your sealants, you should brush your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss once a day. If you grind your teeth, you are likely to wear away your sealants much faster or even damage your teeth.
If you suffer from bruxism, you will need to wear a night guard when you sleep. To reduce wear and tear, you should abstain from eating a lot of hard, crunchy, and sticky foods. Don’t use your teeth to open packages or chew on ice, for example.
If your child just got their first or second permanent molars, we recommend that you place dental sealants to prevent their risk of cavities. Contact us at The Little Royals: Dentistry for Kids today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sal or Yasi Colombo.
"My daughter had a great first dentist appointment experience. The office is beautiful and clean and Dr. Sal was very knowledgeable. He took his time and was very patient with my daughter. I couldn't believe how well my 19-month-old daughter sat while getting her teeth cleaned. She loved the artwork and felt very comfortable with the dentist and staff. They went out of their way to make sure my daughter felt comfortable in her new surroundings. I loved this office and would highly recommend them."
"Our first visit was this morning with Dr. Sal and now it's hours later and I have not been able to stop telling my family and friends how incredibly happy we are that we found The Little Royals. The office is extremely kid friendly. It's set up for kids of all ages and families of all types. This was my 2-year-old's first visit to a dentist so of course everyone was a little apprehensive. Dr. Sal and his staff made all of us feel so comfortable and I appreciate the extra time, patience and care he gave us. If you are looking for a pediatric dentist in Jupiter, this is it. This is where you need to go."
"If I could give them 10 stars I would, hands down the best dentist I’ve been to. They really knew how to handle my son and his nerves and made him extremely comfortable. Dr. Yasi and her staff were very welcoming and explained everything in detail! Glad to have found my son's new dentist!"
"2 of the kindest and most caring people i know. most knowledgeable pediatric dentists around."
"These two dentists are both extremely kind and caring. They are excellent with my children (16 and 6)! I have noticed that they are committed to continuous learning and always strive to provide the absolute best care to all children they treat."
"What a great experience our little man had for his first dental appointment! From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is welcoming, staff is friendly, and Dr. Sal and Dr. Yasi made sure to give you all the time you need and provided great education! It was an amazing experience from beginning to end!"
"Dr. Yasi and Dr. Sal are intelligent and compassionate doctors that we really feel lucky to have found. It makes such a difference to be able to trust the dentists when your little one has a difficult situation like we did, and we will be going back for regular care! A great team."
"The environment is welcoming and comfortable for children. The staff is absolutely wonderful! I highly recommend parents to bring their children, they will most definitely enjoy their visit! My daughter is already asking when we will be back!"
"This was the best experience myself or my children have ever had. Dr. Sal was so patient with my toddler and so accommodating with my teenager. The hygienist was so comforting and helpful to both of my children. We will definitely be visiting The Little Royals for all of our pediatric dentistry needs and we've already told all of our friends!"
