DENTAL SEALANTS FOR KIDS
A dental sealant is a non-invasive protective coating a dentist can apply to a child’s chewing teeth – the molars and premolars. These are the teeth 4 out of 5 cavities form in children and are the most important to protect.
Sealants act as a barrier to prevent germs and food from sticking in a tooth’s grooves and making cavities.
This is a simple and quick process, and we can include it during a cleaning appointment if needed.
We recommend dental sealants for children as soon as all their teeth have come in. Providing this protection early helps ensure a healthy mouth through some of the more cavity-prone years (6-14).
Studies on patients from age 6 through 25 have even shown that, with proper care, dental sealants can last a lifetime.
We’ll review the condition of your child’s sealants each visit to be aware of any wear that may have occurred over time.
Dental Sealants FAQ
What’s the difference between a sealant and a filling?
A dental sealant is a proactive measure, something a pediatric dentist adds early on to prevent cavities. The idea behind using sealants is to avoid cavities altogether and not need fillings. A filling, of course, is material added to a tooth after a cavitity happens to help prevent further damage to the tooth.
Do sealants hurt?
No. The process of applying a dental sealant is straightforward and does not hurt.
What does a sealant look like?
Sealants are usually white or clear. Once they’ve hardened and are ready to act as a barrier for your child’s teeth they are not noticeable when the child smiles or talks.
How effective are they?
The American Dental association says that sealants can reduce the risk of tooth decay by up to 80%. That’s significant protection, and with regular dental hygiene can go a long way toward keeping your child’s mouth healthy and cavity-free.