Many parents are reluctant to let their children undergo a sealant procedure. However, sealants offer your children more protection from cavities than regular brushing and flossing do. Here are five reasons why you should consider dental sealants for your children. 

Protection for Permanent Teeth

There are no do-overs when it comes to permanent teeth. Protecting your children's forever teeth is essential to overall oral health. Dental sealants can be applied as soon as permanent teeth begin to come in. Some of your child's permanent teeth can come in as early as age six. 

Prevention of Pit and Fissure Decay

The sealants are barriers around all of your children's teeth, including in-between. So, a sealant can protect their teeth against decay in the grooved areas of their teeth. This is important since many young children are not accustomed to brushing and flossing well enough to cleanse those areas well. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) states that up to 90% of cavities in children are found in their permanent back teeth. A dental sealant can reduce cavities by 86% just after the first year.

Less Expensive Than Other Procedures

If your child gets a cavity, they will have to undergo procedures such as fillings, crowns, root canals, or as a last resort, extractions. Some of these options can be painful and require more than a one-step treatment process. This can be a very expensive out of pocket expense for you. 

One Visit Procedure

A dental sealant procedure does not use drilling or any numbing medications. This procedure is minimally invasive. This is more of a relief for children as opposed to consistent dental visits for issues with their teeth. If your child is afraid of the dentist, the increase in visits to the dentist may cause more anxiety. Thus, you can offer more protection by consenting to a sealant procedure.

No Need for Food Extractions

Dental sealants also prevent food from reaching tooth depressions and grooves that cannot be reached by brushing your teeth or flossing. This food debris can result in cavities or gum irritations if they are not handled properly. Thanks to a sealant, it is harder for food debris to hide in hard-to-reach places. Thus, the chance of developing a cavity is lessened. 

When it comes to providing the best oral health care for your children, you should consider dental sealants. This simple procedure is as essential as brushing and flossing when it comes to protecting your children from developing cavities. Talk to a family dentist like Kappenman Family Dental about the procedure.