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The Importance Of Visiting A Dentist During Pregnancy

Hello, my name is Karla Madison and this is my blog about the importance of dental care during pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my second child, my gums would bleed when I brushed my teeth. I went to my dentist and he told me that I had pregnancy gingivitis. He also informed me that this is a common condition for pregnant women because their hormones are changing during pregnancy. I followed the instructions of my dentist and my gums stopped bleeding and were healthy again. I also started doing research about the importance of dental care during pregnancy. If you're pregnant, you should read this blog to learn why it's so important to keep up with dental care while pregnant. This blog will give you the information you need so that you can have healthy teeth and gums during your pregnancy.

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The Importance Of Visiting A Dentist During Pregnancy

Dental Sealant – A Preventative Treatment For Kids

by Rose Hale

As a parent, you do all that you can to ensure that your kids are happy and healthy. One battle that many parents experience is dental hygiene. Kids just don't like to brush and floss when they're supposed to. Maybe your kids brush their teeth as they should, but the dentist still finds a cavity here and there when you take them for their cleanings. Either way, dental sealant could be the preventative treatment needed to protect your kids' teeth and keep them healthy and strong. Here, you'll learn a little about dental sealant to determine if it is something that you think might help your kids.

What is dental sealant?

Dental sealant is a plastic coating that is applied to the surface of the teeth. This treatment is typically used to coat molars with deep pits and grooves in them. Dental sealant creates a barrier against sugars, plaque, bacteria, and acid that eat away at your kids' teeth.

How old do kids need to be to have sealant applied?

One question that many parents have is how old your kid has to be to get the sealant applied to the teeth. Sealant is safe to use for kids of all ages and can be applied once the first molars have fully developed. Typically, this treatment is used in younger kids to protect the baby teeth until their adult teeth can grow in. In older kids, the treatment is used to protect the adult teeth that have come in.

Will dental insurance cover the treatment?

Dental insurance usually does cover the cost of the dental sealant treatment, but you should check with your provider to be sure. Some have an age restriction that doesn't cover the cost of this treatment for kids over the age of 16.

How is the sealant applied?

The sealant is a lot like paint–it goes on the teeth as a liquid and dries. As it dries, it hardens and creates a shell that protects the teeth. There will be no discomfort for your kids as the sealant is applied. At the very worst, they may have a sore jaw from keeping their mouths opened during the cleaning and treatment.

How long will the sealant stay in place?

If your kids take care of their teeth properly, the sealant can last many, many years before needing to be reapplied. If the coating becomes damaged or falls off, the dentist can reapply the coating.

Talk with your dentist to learn more about preventive dentistry. This treatment could help to save your kids from a life of an unhealthy mouth.  

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