Dental sealants help children avoid cavities by shielding back teeth from harmful oral bacteria. While they don’t last forever, they can do their job for well over a decade. Here are some tips to maximize the life span of dental sealants. 

How to Ensure Your Child’s Dental Sealants Last

1. Avoid the Stickiest Foods

When your child regularly eats foods like taffy and caramel, their sticky surfaces can pull off sealants. If your child particularly enjoys these candies, save them for special treats rather than daily snacks. 

2. Include Sugar After Meals

While eliminating sweets from your child’s diet isn’t realistic, when they consume sugar can make a difference for their oral health. By enjoying desserts after meals rather than as snacks during the day, your child’s saliva levels will be higher. The extra saliva will help wash away lingering sugars, leaving dental sealants clean.

3. See a Dentist Regularly

At regular checkups, a dentist will examine your child’s sealant to see if it needs an adjustment or replacement. The professional cleaning will also scrape away the plaque and tartar that form cavities, which, in turn, helps the sealants last longer.

The dentist will review brushing and flossing techniques with your child, so they can defend against cavities at home as well.

If you’re interested in dental sealants for your child, turn to Pediatric Dentistry Kahala in Honolulu, HI. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Allen K. Hirai and his team make visits stress-free for little ones. To provide exceptional service, Dr. Hirai maintains memberships with the American Dental Association, Hawaii Dental Association, and Hawaii Academy of Pediatric Dentists. To schedule an appointment, call (808) 737-0076 today, or learn more about the dental clinic’s services by visiting their website. You can also find more dental care tips for kids on their Facebook page.