What are dental sealants and which foods to avoid after getting dental sealants? - Kids Pediatric Dentistry
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What are dental sealants and which foods to avoid after getting dental sealants?

Kids Pediatric dentistry

What are dental sealants and which foods to avoid after getting dental sealants?

To answer this question, we must first recognize what dental sealants are and how they support tooth protection.

What are dental sealants?

Pits and crevices can be found on the chewing surfaces of back molar teeth. Even if your child brushes and flosses thoroughly, cleaning the tiny grooves and pits is difficult. Food, plaque, and bacteria can accumulate in these crevices, resulting in tooth decay. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children have sealants applied to their permanent back molars as soon as they erupt, which is usually between the ages of six and twelve.

Dental sealants are a hard plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars to form a barrier that protects them from acid and plaque, lowering the risk of cavities. Sealants are simple, painless, do not require drilling or numbing, and last between 2 and 5 years. They can be very effective in cavity prevention and should be checked by your pediatric dentist during regular checkups. Dental sealants do not protect the flossing surfaces between the teeth or the surfaces next to the cheek and tongue. Good oral hygiene habits are still critical for your child’s dental health.

How do you take care of dental sealants?

Even though dental sealants are made of plastic, if they are not treated properly and maintained, they can break and fall off. The longer your dental sealant lasts, the more effective it will be at preventing cavities.

Brush all of your teeth’s surfaces, even if you have sealants. Use a toothbrush with a soft bristle and toothpaste. Brush the sides and tops of the teeth as you would a tooth that isn’t sealed. Even though sealants protect your teeth, tartar buildup near the gum line can still cause gum disease.

Foods to Avoid After Getting Dental Sealants

It may take a day or two for sealants to fully conform to the shape of the tooth, but once they do, the treated teeth feel no different than the rest. They don’t get in the way of eating, chewing, talking, singing, playing music, or smiling. While sealants don’t necessitate major dietary changes, there are some foods you should avoid following their application. Hard, sticky, or chewy foods can chip, break, or fall off your teeth.

Hard foods, such as ice, jawbreakers, and other hard candies, can cause the sealants to break and chip. Fruit snacks, gummy candy, caramel, and toffee are examples of chewy and sticky foods that can stick to the sealant and pull it off. By avoiding these foods, you can ensure that your sealants last as long as possible and provide the best possible protection for your teeth.

If you are looking to take your child to a pediatric dentist or want to set up a consultation, Dr. Lisi at Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Allen will answer all your questions and concerns. Please call 972-727-0011 to schedule a consultation.

 

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