February marks the beginning of Children’s Dental Health Month, a national awareness month sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA). This 28-day celebration brings your pediatric dentist in Long Island together with other health care providers to promote the importance of good oral health in children. Each year, Children’s Dental Health Month follows a specific theme. This year, the focus is on sealants.
Sealants Make Sense
2022’s theme is “Sealants Make Sense,” and encourages educating children, parents, and caregivers on how an easy treatment like sealants can do wonders in protecting tiny teeth against cavities. To help do our part, your pediatric dentist in Long Island is going to share some important information about how sealants can help keep your child’s teeth and mouth healthy.
What are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a safe and effective way to further protect kids’ teeth against decay, cavities, and other dental problems. Sealants are a thin coating that can fill in those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies in teeth, especially the molars. The process of applying a sealant is easy and pain-free. Your pediatric dentist will prep the tooth by thoroughly cleaning it and drying it before applying the sealant. The sealant material is then hardened using a special curing light.
How Well Do Sealants Work?
A ton of studies have shown that sealants can greatly reduce the risk of cavities in kids. In fact, the ADA states that sealants can lower the risk of decay by almost 80% in the back teeth. Additionally, a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) showed that “children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.”
If your pediatric dentist in Long Island recommends sealants for your little one, it’s for a good reason. After all, the more protected kids’ teeth are when they’re little, the more likely it is that they’ll have a healthy smile for life. Of course, we always welcome any questions you may have about sealants or any other treatments we recommend.
More Information About Children’s Dental Health Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month was first recognized as a single-day event in February 1941 and turned into a month-long celebration in 1981. What was formerly only a small event has turned into a national celebration. So much so that the ADA has put together fun ways that parents, teachers, and caregivers can get kids excited about dental health. Head over to the ADA website to find free resources and fun games such as puzzles, coloring sheets, and word searches. You can even access activities from prior years.
When it comes to the oral health of kids, your pediatric dentist in Long Island is here to help. Make sure to see us at least twice a year, help your child brush and floss every day, and maintain a well-balanced diet with limited sugary snacks.
