Dental sealants from your dentists in Columbus, GA, can keep your child’s smile healthy

Did you know that brushing and flossing may not be enough to keep away tooth decay? It’s true! In fact, many cavities begin in the deep grooves and crevices that are a part of the normal tooth anatomy. Fortunately, your dentist has an effective weapon to fight tooth decay. It’s called a dental sealant, and it can protect you or your child’s smile.

Here at the Columbus, GA, office of dentists Dr. Phillip S. Tully III and Dr. W. Newton Sharp, we offer a wide range of dental services for people of all ages, including dental sealants to keep your child’s smile healthy and free of tooth decay—read on to learn more!

What sealants can do to keep your child healthy

Regular brushing and flossing can do a lot to prevent tooth decay, but that won’t completely help protect the deep grooves and crevices in your child’s teeth. After all, these spots are perfect for bacteria and food debris to collect in. If left undisturbed, an acid is produced that eats away at tooth enamel, causing the formation of cavities. Dental sealants fill up the deep grooves and crevices, providing a hard, smooth surface that bacteria and food debris can’t penetrate.

Parents and children alike love dental sealants because they are:

• Effective, because they dramatically reduce the possibility of tooth decay
• Pain-free, because the sealant procedure requires no anesthetic
• Quick, because each tooth takes only a few minutes
• Inexpensive, because dental sealants cost only a fraction of the price of dental fillings

The right time for your child to have dental sealants placed is when the permanent molars fully erupt. For most children, the first permanent molars should be sealed when your child is between the ages of 5 and 7. The second molars should be sealed when your child is between the ages of 11 and 14. Dental sealants are also a great option for adults looking to protect their smiles from cavities and decay.

Contact us

To learn more about the dental sealant process and how it can protect you or your child’s teeth, call Dr. Phillip S. Tully III and Dr. W. Newton Sharp in Columbus, GA, today by dialing (706) 323-6491.