What are sealants?
Sealants are a thin, protective layer that we place on the chewing surfaces of your child’s back molars. The sealant prevents food and bacteria from settling into the tiny nooks and crannies of your child’s teeth and potentially causing tooth decay. We recommend applying sealants as soon as your child gets their molars. This is around age 6 for their first molars and age 12 for their second molars.
How we apply Sealants
The process for applying sealants in is fast and painless, requiring no anesthetic. After we clean and dry your child’s tooth, we apply an acidic gel to the surface. This gel cleanses and roughens the tooth’s surface so it can properly bond with the sealant. We then rinse off the gel, dry the tooth, and apply the sealant to the tooth.
What to expect after sealants
Sealants in may make your child’s teeth feel slick, but they’ll quickly get used to this feeling. Your child can brush and floss their teeth like normal.
How do sealants improve your child’s oral health?
While sealants aren’t a substitute for flossing and brushing, they lower your child’s risk of cavities and can prevent cavities on the biting surface of your child’s teeth. Untreated tooth decay leads to infection that causes pain and swelling; the infection can even threaten the health of your child’s other teeth and gums.
What are the benefits of sealants?
Sealants have several benefits that make them a valuable addition to your child’s dental care:
Sealants don’t change the appearance of your child’s teeth
The thin layer of plastic we use for sealants is either clear or white so that it blends in with your child’s teeth. When your child smiles or talks, the sealant won’t be noticeable.
Your child’s teeth have years of protection
Sealants can protect your child’s teeth for up to 10 years from decay and cavities. If the sealant is damaged or falls off, we can reapply it. At your child’s regular dental examinations, we’ll examine their sealants to confirm that they’re still in place and don’t require replacement.
Sealants save time and money
By blocking cavity-causing bacteria from your child’s teeth, sealants help you reduce the time and money that you would spend filling cavities or treating and restoring teeth severely damaged by tooth decay. In the long run, sealants are a worthwhile investment for maintaining your child’s oral health and preventing future dental issues. Many insurance companies cover the cost of sealants for kids, so they’re an affordable option for parents who want to protect their child’s teeth.
Dental treatments for all ages.
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