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While the prospect of not watching the Red Wings in the NHL playoffs for a second straight year is depressing, it’s not as depressing as your children having lots of cavities. Sure, they eat more Red Vines than beets, more Sour Patch Kids than Granny Smith apples, but why do they get cavities? Haven’t you heard that cavities are kind of a thing of the past?

They could be for your kids if you come in and have Dr. Egger place sealants in their molars.

What are sealants?

Sealants are a thin plastic coating that is painted onto the chewing surfaces of the molars. The sealant is cured with a special light and fills in the depressions and grooves in the molars, bonding to the teeth and forming a protective shield on those teeth.

Who should get sealants?

Dr, Eggers recommends that children and teenagers with even moderate grooves in their teeth should get sealants. Why? This protects the teeth during the most cavity-prone years, ages six to 14. Adults can also get sealants on their molars that haven’t developed any decay and are without fillings.

How are sealants applied?

Applying sealants is simple. This is how Dr. Egger does it.

1. First, the teeth are thoroughly cleaned.
2. Each tooth to be sealed is dried.
3. An acid solution is put on the chewing surface of each molar to create a rougher surface for the sealant to bond to.
4. This is then rinsed and the teeth again dried.
5. Sealant is painted onto the tooth and a curing light is used to harden the sealant.

How long do sealants last?

Sealants usually last 10 years or so, but they can last far longer. The important thing is to have them on the teeth during youth.

Having sealants is about the best preventive dental care your child can have. After all, we know they aren’t always the most diligent brushers and flossers. Plus, there are those tasty Red Vines to consider.

Call Dr. Egger at (989) 773-3560 to make your appointment to have him put sealants on your kids’ teeth.