Preventive care is a crucial component of our services at Exceptional Dentistry. That means treating any problems with your oral health in the earliest possible stages or preventive dental care to keep issues from arising in the first place. To help protect children from tooth decay, Exceptional Dentistry offers sealants and fluoride treatments.
Sealants
Dental sealants are non-toxic coatings that protect teeth from cavities. Our dental hygienist applies sealants to the entire chewing surface of the lower back teeth, which are often the most challenging places to keep clean. And coincidentally, the most common areas of tooth decay in children.
Once placed, sealants bond to the tooth, creating a barrier to protect against the accumulation of bacteria and plaque that lead to tooth decay.
Here’s some more information you need to know about sealants:
- According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control, children between the ages of 6 and 11 who receive sealants had three times fewer cavities than children who did not receive sealants.
- Sealants may last up to 10 years but can be replaced as necessary.
- Sealants are best suited for permanent teeth as they emerge from the gum line.
- Sealants are not recommended for baby teeth.
- Sealants do not replace the need for regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings but rather aid in reducing cavities.
Fluoride
Dentists first discovered the benefits of fluoride around the turn of the 20th century. In the 1940s, municipalities started adding fluoride to their water supply. Today, fluoride is added to widely popular varieties of toothpaste; the American Dental Association recommends only using fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance that restores the minor imperfections and demineralizations that happen to teeth as time passes. Fluoride helps keep teeth healthy and strong.
For extra protection, Exceptional Dentistry offers standalone fluoride treatments. These fluoride treatments typically can be administered as part of a routine check-up, including professional dental cleaning and examination. A fluoride application involves brushing fluoride varnish over all your teeth’s surfaces. Then, refrain from eating or drinking for about 30 minutes.
Fluoride treatments are recommended for all children. You may need a fluoride treatment if you live where the water supply is not fluoridated or if you drink bottled or filtered water regularly.
Why consider sealants and fluoride?
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine out of every 10 Americans will have at least one cavity by their 20th birthday. Meanwhile, American children miss about 52 million hours of school each year due to issues related to oral health. Help prevent oral diseases such as cavities in your children by asking about fluoride treatments from your dentist.
Preventive Care in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Shepherdsville and Louisville, Kentucky
Never consider sealants or fluoride as a substitute for a thorough oral hygiene regimen. That’s why we can review proper brushing and flossing techniques at every check-up for your child. Sealants and fluoride are excellent addendums to our regimen of pediatric dentistry and preventive care. To find out more about these treatments or any other services at Exceptional Dentistry, call our office at (502) 423-7868.
