Dental Sealants & Flouride Supplements
Cleaning back teeth can be quite difficult for children. And no matter how many times we remind our kids, they tend to skip daily brushing and flossing every now and then. For these reasons, Dr. Stewart suggests dental sealants and fluoride supplements for children.
Protective Sealants
Dental sealants are clear plastic coatings that we paint over back teeth (molars) to guard against decay. The sealants form a barrier between tooth enamel and the sugars, starches, and acids that cause cavities. Sealants are a painless and quick preventive procedure that can yield lifelong benefits. Over the years, dental sealants wear away, so they never have to be removed.
Strengthening Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral that, in small amounts, can attract other minerals to strengthen tooth enamel. A few decades ago, a movement in the US resulted in many cities and towns adding fluoride to their public water supply. The result was, tooth decay decreased across the nation. Today, however, children often drink bottled water, so they don’t get a sufficient amount of fluoride from tap water. We use fluoridated toothpaste, but still, a fluoride rinse in our office is a good idea. It takes merely seconds and will help protect your child’s teeth from cavities.
Call our dental office today to schedule your children’s appointments with Dr. Stewart. We give families in Livonia, Farmington, and Farmington Hills personalized service and patient-focused care for smiles that last.