704 NE Evans Street, McMinnville, OR 97128
New Patients Call (503) 472-1403
Existing Patients Call (503) 472-1402
Did you know that cavities are one of the most common oral health problems, especially in children? Tooth decay is considered the top chronic childhood illness according to the CDC—as it’s four times more common childhood obesity; five times more common than asthma! Even so, this issue can be easily prevented with the proper measures. That’s why our team at Evans Street Dental is proud to offer dental sealants in McMinnville to get the job done! This treatment only takes a few minutes, but it can greatly reduce your little one’s risk of developing cavities. Keep reading to learn more or call our office today to schedule your child’s appointment!
Several things can put your child at risk of cavities. The first factor is that baby teeth enamel is typically thinner and weaker than that of adult teeth, making them easier to be attacked by bacteria. Another reason is due to the kinds of foods and beverages that children tend to enjoy, which typically consist of carbohydrates and sugars, including crackers and fruit juices. Finally, children often need to improve their brushing and flossing, as they can have difficulty cleaning the hard-to-reach places in their mouths. With these factors combined, cavities have a high chance of forming.
This treatment utilizes a transparent, biocompatible material consisting of plastic that’s designed to coat the surfaces of teeth. Once it’s settled, it’ll develop into a strong defensive barrier between your child’s tooth and the bacteria and plaque that can cause cavities later on. In most cases, dental sealants are placed to cover the grooves and pits of molars, since these teeth are likely to have germs settle there. The dentist will use a special curing light to ensure the material hardens in place. The entire process should only take a few minutes, but the results can help keep your child’s smile safe for close to a decade!
According to the American Dental Association, children between ages 5 and 7 should get dental sealants and then again between 11 and 14, since this is one molars start to erupt. Of course, every patient will be different, so those who are at risk of cavities can generally benefit from this treatment. Our team will evaluate your little one’s oral health and determine if they require dental sealants to maintain healthy pearly whites as they grow.