February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
WILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is one of the most common chronic disease of childhood, and it is largely preventable.
This year Will County Community Health Center [CHC] and the American Dental Association are emphasizing the positive role that sealants can play in a child’s oral health.
According to Dr. Sangita Garg, Chief Dental Officer of the CHC, “sealants can keep cavities from forming and may even stop early stages of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity.”
Sealants are protective coatings applied to the chewing surface of back teeth. While sealants have been, according to Dr. Garg, “shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars,” sealants are not a substitute for regular brushing and flossing.
The CDC states that “school-age children without sealants have almost three time more cavities than children with sealants.”
Sealants are applied quickly and painlessly at one’s dental office and are appropriate for children starting at age five, with the first appearance of permanent molars. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), sealants may last five years or longer and should be checked regularly and reapplied if necessary.
The CHC offers a variety of dental services including comprehensive dental exams, simple surgical extractions, regular and deep cleaning, digital and panoramic x-rays, fluoride treatment, oral hygiene education, emergency care and the application of sealants.
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To schedule an appointment with the CHC Dental Clinic, call 815-774-7300