Fissure sealants

Children’s teeth in their early development are especially vulnerable to tooth decay. To combat this, the Smile Dynamics team can apply a pit and fissure sealant.

A completely pain-free procedure that takes around 5 minutes per tooth, the sealant is a pink or tooth coloured liquid similar in consistency to nail polish, which flows into the grooves of the back teeth, setting hard after only a couple of minutes. This makes the tooth smooth, easier to clean and creates a protective barrier against plaque and bacteria build-up. The sealant also contains fluoride for added tooth protection.

The teeth are cleaned thoroughly with a mild solution or gel no stronger than vinegar or a citric acid such as lemon juice, which makes the surface of the tooth slightly rough ensuring a strong bond is achieved. After a few seconds, the solution is rinsed away with water and the tooth is dried.

The ideal time to apply tooth sealant is immediately following the emergence of the first permanent molars, around age six and then after the permanent adult premolars come through, between the ages of eleven and fourteen. However, there may be occasions when primary (baby) premolars require sealants, especially if there is a likelihood of them developing tooth decay.

Although mainly used on children’s teeth, many adults also choose to have fissure sealant treatment to aid in the prevention of tooth decay. Sealants cannot be applied to teeth with detectable decay, therefore following a thorough assessment appointment, the Smile Dynamics team will advise if dental sealants are suitable for you.

Children’s dentistry

Oral health plays a vital role in your child’s general health and early development. Correctly aligned healthy teeth enables your child to eat a variety of foods and chew efficiently. Teeth are also critical when sounding words as they learn to talk.

You should start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first one appears so they associate this as a normal part of everyday life. Gentle brushing with a soft bristled baby toothbrush and a pea sized amount of toothpaste is all that is needed.

Prevention of childhood tooth decay is very important for their long-term oral health. Although your child’s baby teeth will fall out naturally, if they lose a tooth too soon, it can cause their permanent adult teeth to come through crooked and gum and jaw misalignment problems to develop, which may require extensive corrective treatment such as orthodontic braces.

The Smile Dynamics team can advise you on the most effective cleaning techniques for your child’s teeth. We also encourage you to bring your children with you to your checkup appointments, so they can become familiar and comfortable with our practice and team.