When parents ask me what can be done to keep their child's teeth healthy I respond:

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Brush twice daily, floss, limit acid and sugar consumption and sealants!

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Sealants are a fantastic preventive tool often used for adult molars when they first come in (around 6 years old for first molars and 12 years old for second molars).

The procedure is non-invasive and involves applying a protective "shield" like material to the grooves on the molars. Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars.

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In 2016 the Centers for Disease Control released a report regarding the importance of sealants, their findings included "school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants." Ask your child's dentist if sealants would be helpful in preventing cavities at your child's next visit.

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