What can your pediatric dentists at Lafayette, LA, help you with?
Brushing your teeth is essential, but those hard-to-reach teeth may cause other detrimental issues, especially when it comes to your children's oral health. That's why Dr. Ken LeBlanc can help your children using dental sealants.
What are sealants?
Sealants are thin, protective materials coated onto teeth. Your Lafayette dentist coats the chewing surface of teeth, especially the molars since they're harder to brush and therefore more susceptible to bacterial infection. Molars also have uneven and rough, which also makes it easier for bacteria to flourish.
If bacteria settles in, cavities erode your child's teeth. The best preventive measure, of course, is maintaining a consistent oral regimen of brushing and flossing, as well as visiting your doctor twice a year. Dr. LeBlanc can stop cavities during their early stages to protect your child's tooth/teeth.
So, where do dental sealants come in?
More than 40% of children (ages 6-to11) get a dental sealant because children with no sealants suffer from more cavities than children with sealants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The procedure is straightforward and painless.
- Dr. LeBlanc first cleans and dries your child's tooth.
- Next, he applies an acid gel to make the chewing surface rougher; this makes it easier for the sealant to adhere.
- Your dentist then removes the gel, dries the tooth, and applies a sealant onto the exposed dental grooves.
- Finally, he uses a special blue light to harden the sealant.
The side effect to worry about is an allergy, so consult with your doctor before making any decisions.
Would you like to speak with Dr. Ken LeBlanc about dental sealants for your children?
Sealants are beneficial to children and adults, and the sooner you get them the sooner your teeth will be protected. So when you visit your dentist, Dr. Ken LeBlanc, make sure you ask him about sealants at his Lafayette, LA. To make an appointment, call (337) 406-9994.