Affordable Dental Sealant Procedure in India

An increasingly popular treatment in dentistry is making it possible for kids to slip through childhood without a single cavity. When parents ask us what are the best ways to prevent their children from getting cavities,we often say "SEALANTS!" These act as a barrier between bacteria (the cause of decay) and the enamel on the teeth. The treatment uses plastic fluids that dentists paint on the biting surfaces of permanent molars soon after the teeth come in. Sealants are safe, dry in seconds, and last up to five years.Kids will still have to brush, floss and visit their dentists because the sealant won't reach between the teeth, where cavities often develop. But, sealants can cut molar cavities by more than 50 percent,and can be especially helpful in areas without fluoridated water.

Please see our section on SEALANTS

THUMB-SUCKING

Sucking is one of a baby's natural reflexes, much like grasping for objects. It is a normal infant reflex which makes a child feel secure and happy. However, when thumbsucking becomes a habit in early childhood, it may cause problems.Thumb-sucking or finger-sucking is a habit that occurs with many infants. Your child will usually give it up naturally by the age of four. If the sucking habit continues beyond the time when permanent teeth start to erupt, your child may develop crooked teeth and a malformed palate (roof of the mouth). This results from pressure applied by the thumb on the teeth and roof of the mouth. The severity of the problem depends on frequency, intensity, duration and also the position in which the thumb is placed in the mouth. The relationship between the upper and lower jaws may also be affected. Speech defects can occur from malaligned teeth resulting from thumbsucking and/or finger-sucking.

TREATMENT

The best prevention is to get your newborn to take up the pacifier instead of thumbsucking or finger-sucking. (Although prolonged use of the pacifier can lead to similar problems, it, at least, is not attached to the child and can be removed.) Children should be helped to give up the habit before they enter school to prevent teasing. Timing of treatment is important. Your child should be willing to give up thumbsucking.If your child is not willing to stop, therapy is not usually indicated.Pressure you apply to stop may only lead to resistance and lack of cooperation. Try again later. Give your child attention and understanding and gently discourage the habit. Reminders such as a band-aid on the thumb can help.

Offer rewards (star on books,paisa coins, extra story) for days when your child is successful.Praise your child when successful.Take one step at a time. Encourage your child not to suck during one daytime activity,like storytime or television watching. Gradually add another activity until daytime sucking is controlled.

After Daytime Sucking is controlled:

Help your child to give up the sucking habit during sleep. This is usually an involuntary process and a glove, sock, or thumb/finger guard can help stop the habit. If these considerations are not successful, see your dentist for further support. By the time your child's permanent teeth begin to erupt (at around 6 years of age), it should be brought to their attention. Your dentist may have other suggestions such as a reminder bar that is placed in the upper mouth. Parents should keep in mind that the best way to get children to stop sucking their thumbs is to praise them when they are not doing it, instead of scolding them when they are. It is also important to focus on the fact that many children suck their thumbs for comfort, so think about why your child may feel anxious or upset. And don't hesitate to ask your dentist for advice.

SPACE MAINTENENCE

A baby tooth is sometimes lost prematurely because of tooth decay or injury. If this occurs before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt the nearby teeth can shift or drift into the space where the primary tooth use to be creating a lack of space in the jaw for the permanent teeth. The teeth in the other jaw may also move up or down to fill in the gap.If this crowding happens there may not be enough room for the new tooth to come in correctly, so it emerges lopsided or is not able to erupt at all.
This crowded condition can make it more difficult :

• To clean increasing your child's risk for tooth decay.
• It can also make chewing difficult causing these teeth to wear down more quickly.
• If left untreated, this condition may result in extensive orthodontic treatment.

Space Maintainer on model

Surprisingly some baby teeth are not replaced by adult teeth until a child reaches 12 or 14 years old!The space maintainer is a small metal device that is custom fitted to your child's mouth. It is firmly fixed in the mouth and will be removed when the permanent tooth is in it's proper position.

It may consist of a band attached to the tooth on one side of the space with a wire loop or spring bridging the gap to the tooth on the other side. They steady the remaining teeth, preventing movement until the permanent tooth takes it's natural position.

Care Of Space Maintainers

• Avoid sticky sweets and or chewing gum
• Don't tug or push on the space maintainer with your fingers or tongue
• Keep it clean with brushing and flossing
• Keep your 6 month check up appointments to monitor oral health

Dental Sealants

• Thin plastic / Glass Ionomer coatings
• For chewing surfaces
• Of Back teeth (Molars)

Suitable teeth

• 1st. Permanent molar
• 2nd. & 3rd Permanent molar
• Milk teeth prone to decay

Benefits

• Makes life easy for your children and you.
• Saves from pain.
• Saves money.

Back to Dental Procedures