Children have “baby” teeth up to a certain age, which fall off and eventually get replaced by permanent teeth. Many parents have the notion that dental care for children isn’t as important because these baby teeth are set to fall out anyway. However, this is a wrong way of thinking that needs to be removed.
Even if the teeth of children are not yet permanent, it is still important for them to receive dental care as early as six to seven years of age. Remember that dental issues and tooth decay can strike at any age, especially if a person does not practice proper dental hygiene. Which brings us to the topic of this article: dental sealants and children. What is the appropriate age when dental sealants can be used on children?
Dental Sealants: What Age Should Children Receive Them?
Before delving into the reason why dental sealants may be needed for children, it is important to know the proper age when children should start seeing a dentist in the first place. As a general rul of thumb, the first dental visit a child should have should be when their baby teeth would all be grown in. This should be at around
Six or seven years old. Dental check ups done at this age will help with the pre-diagnosis of any potential issues that the dentist may have based diagnostic tests like dental x-rays.
Why Are Dental Sealants Needed?
Dental sealants are used on teeth that have not been completely sealed. Sealants may be necessary for people in any age group, not just children. Most of the time, dental sealants may be used on children at ages 11 to 13, when all the back teeth have been replaced with permanent teeth. However, in some cases, dentists have placed sealants on teeth in patients as young as six or seven years, to protect teeth from cavities.
What to Expect from Dental Sealants
Many children may be apprehensive about getting sealants because they worry if the procedure will be painful or not. This dental procedure will be mildly uncomfortable at the most, but not exactly painful.
Since most of the time, sealants are placed on molars, their appearance will not be a matter of concern. However, if selanats need to be placed on a part of a tooth that will be visible when the person talks or smiles, the color of the sealant will be made to match the tooth to make it inconspicuous.
Conclusion
No matter how young your child is, if you suspect that they are starting to show signs of tooth decay and cavities, it is vital that you take a stand for their dental health. Having them see a dentist will ensure that any potential issues will be caught early and treated while they are not all that serious yet. Leaving any dental issues unchecked may have them worsen over time, leading to more painful procedures that may cost much more than they initially should have if you chose to address the issue sooner.
If you are looking for a reliable family dentist for your and your children, come to Dr. Thomas E. Cooke Family Dentistry! From a routine checkup or cleaning appointment to extensive tooth restoration and replacement procedures, we have helped thousands of patients in the greater Raleigh, NC area improve their oral health through our superior dental care. Work with one of the best Raleigh dentists today!
