Sealants work to prevent dental decay in Santa Cruz area kids

Regular brushing and flossing lowers your child's chances of developing cavities. But kids aren’t known for their dedication to brushing and flossing, and that can lead to cavities. Fortunately, family dentist Dr. Joseph Valle in Santa Cruz, CA can help prevent cavities in your children’s teeth with the use of a sealant.

The grooves and depressions on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are the most prone to decay, so it’s those surfaces that require further preventive care. At Santa Cruz Dental Care, Dr. Valle can apply a plastic-like coating called a “sealant” to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant is essentially painted onto the teeth, which means it’s quick, easy, and painless for your kids.

Studies have shown that sealants can reduce tooth decay by as much as 100 percent, so it’s no wonder that that the American Dental Association recommends sealants as soon as the first adult back teeth come in at age 6 or 7. Dr. Valle will continue to apply a sealant as each back tooth comes in, up until about age 13, when most kids have gotten all of their adult molars.

For more information about the benefits of using a sealant to prevent tooth decay — or to make an appointment at Santa Cruz Dental Care in Santa Cruz - call (831) 423-2400 today.