A variety of factors could lead to your child developing a cavity. However, your Round Rock, TX, pediatric dentist has two unique treatments to help strengthen teeth and protect them from tooth decay. In today’s blog, we’re going to talk about the benefits of fluoride treatments and dental sealants, and how they help safeguard little smiles.

The Causes of Tooth Decay

What causes your child to develop one or more dental cavities? Each tooth is coated in enamel, a strong protective layer meant to safeguard the inner dentin and pulp from exposure to bacteria. However, lack or proper brushing and flossing habits, combined with a diet high in sugary and starchy snacks and drinks, could coat this layer in plaque and weaken it, exposing the inner dentin and leading to tooth decay. As the decay grows and reaches the pulp, your child could encounter painful aches and sensitivity. Eventually, the decay could mean infection and the potential for premature loss of a baby tooth, a complication linked to misalignment.

Dental Sealants

Along with proper brushing and flossing, we can help kids avoid cavities with dental sealants. Younger kids often have trouble reaching the rear molars when they brush and floss, which means food particles could remain trapped between them for bacteria to break down, the process that causes plaque buildup and cavities. However, with a sealant we dry the teeth and place an acrylic coating. After we cure the coating, it will stay on the teeth for between 5 and 10 years, preventing particles from ever becoming stuck between them. The layers wear off with time, and can also be re-applied if necessary.

Fluoride Treatments

We also apply fluoride treatments. A naturally occurring mineral, fluoride has been shown to strengthen the outer tooth enamel and prevent cavities. We can apply this in varnish form every six months during a checkup and cleaning, which helps keep the smile strong. You can also make sure your child uses a rice-sized bit of fluoride toothpaste when he or she brushes their teeth, and also know that our tap water contains fluoride too, which could help lower cavity risk. If you have any questions about the steps necessary to keep smiles strong, including brushing and flossing at home and visits for checkups and cleanings, then let us know. We would also love to talk about our sealants and varnish to help protect little smiles.

Pediatric Dentistry of Round Rock Offers Fluoride and Sealants  

Pediatric Dentistry of Round Rock wants to use preventive care to protect little smiles from cavities and infection. If you want to learn more about the treatments we use to avoid tooth decay, then start by contacting the Pediatric Dentistry of Round Rock in Round Rock, TX at 512-733-5311.