Sealants, Regular Cleanings, and Fluoride Treatments: Learn How We Keep Your Kids' Teeth Healthy

Every parent wants their child to have a bright, healthy smile — but did you know that proactive oral health care starts long before the first cavity appears? At Austin Advanced Dentistry, our pediatric dentists focus on preventive care that keeps kids’ teeth strong, helps them avoid painful problems, and sets the stage for healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Here’s what you need to know about three common preventive treatments for kids, and how each can support your child’s dental health.

1. Regular cleanings set your child up for good oral health

It’s important to brush and floss your teeth every day, but at-home oral hygiene is only part of the equation. Brushing and flossing help remove bacteria and sticky plaque buildup, but it’s easy to miss spots — and plaque that’s left behind hardens and turns to tartar.

Most children benefit from cleanings every six months. Regular dental cleanings thoroughly remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar that you can’t eliminate with brushing and flossing alone. Plus, cleanings allow us to identify small problems before they become bigger, like a cavity that needs a filling or early signs of gum inflammation.

At your child’s regular dental cleanings, we gently remove plaque and tartar buildup with special tools. We polish their teeth to smooth them out and remove surface stains, and we also do an exam to evaluate their developing bite and tooth alignment.

We talk to you and your child about their brushing and flossing habits, too. These regular cleanings are also a good time to ask any questions you might have about your child’s oral health, such as whether they need to brush more regularly or might need an orthodontic evaluation.

2. Sealants offer extra protection where cavities start

Both kids and adults often develop cavities in the deep grooves of the back teeth (molars), where bristles on a toothbrush can’t always reach. That’s where dental sealants come in.

Sealants are a thin, protective coating we apply to the chewing surfaces of your child’s molars and premolars. The sealant fills in pits and grooves in their teeth, creating a smooth surface that’s easier to clean.

Sealants can reduce the risk of decay by up to 80%, and that can make a big difference for your child’s oral health — especially when their tooth brushing habits are still developing. We typically recommend applying sealants soon after permanent molars come in (around ages 6 and 12). The application is quick, painless, and completely non-invasive.

3. Fluoride treatments strengthen teeth from within

Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel, which is the hard outer layer that protects your teeth from decay. While fluoride is found in many water supplies and toothpaste, professional fluoride treatments provide an extra boost.

Getting a fluoride treatment helps remineralize early enamel damage that could later become a cavity, and it helps make teeth stronger and less susceptible to decay overall. Fluoride treatments involve applying a varnish to the surface of your child’s teeth during their regular cleaning, and they offer extra protection for children whose teeth are actively developing.

Why pediatric dental care matters

It’s easy to assume that dental care isn’t something you need to worry about until your child is older, but the truth is that good oral health starts when your baby’s first tooth emerges. 

Children’s mouths change rapidly as they grow. Baby teeth make way for permanent teeth, bite patterns develop, and spacing and alignment begin to take shape. Regular dental care helps ensure these changes happen smoothly and that small issues are caught early.

At Austin Advanced Dentistry, we offer customized preventive care for each age and stage. We take a gentle, kid-friendly approach to each appointment, and our goal is to help empower both children and their parents to take ownership of their oral health.

By establishing good habits early, kids are more likely to maintain healthy teeth and gums into adulthood. So don’t wait for a toothache to take your child to the dentist. Regular cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments are powerful, proactive tools that keep cavities at bay and nurture a lifetime of healthy smiles. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.