Children need every preventive measure available to keep their oral health in top condition, which can include dental sealants. When it comes to children’s dental health, tooth decay remains the leading problem affecting children. The dentist uses dental sealants to protect a child’s teeth from the harmful effects of cavities. Continue reading to find answers to commonly asked questions.
A sealant is a transparent plastic varnish that covers the chewing surfaces of the back-row teeth: molars and premolars. They have grooves (pits and fissures) that make them harder to clean and more prone to cavities. Dental sealants protect the grooves by providing a smoother surface that makes plaque and food debris slide off the teeth more easily.
The process lasts only a few minutes. The dentist will clean the child’s teeth before applying a conditioning solution over the chewing area. This liquid etches the surface to allow the sealant to adhere to the tooth. The dentist will clean the liquid and paint the sealant over the teeth. Afterward, they will harden it over the tooth using a curing light. After the sealant hardens, it becomes a hard plastic coating, and the patient can chew with their teeth again.
The procedure is not painful. For children who have dental anxiety, the dentist will try to make them as comfortable as possible. Placing dental sealants is non-invasive and requires no recovery period.
Sealants are not meant to be a permanent solution, so patients still need to come to the dental office for a routine checkup. The dentist will be able to check if the sealants are intact or compromised. With adequate care, sealants can survive up to nine years or more. If necessary, broken sealants can be restored.
As soon as the child’s premolars and molars start to come in, parents need to visit the dentist about getting sealants. The earlier the sealants are applied, the earlier they can shield the back teeth from getting tooth decay. The first application of sealants happens when the child is around six, when the first molars develop. After the second set of molars erupt (often around age 12 or 13), then the child can come in for sealants.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Sealants in Peabody, MA.
Although it is rare, adults who are prone to cavities can also get dental sealants on teeth that have not been filled or previously covered in sealants.
Yes. Dental sealants are only effective for the surface of the teeth they cover. Fluoride helps protect other areas of the teeth by remineralizing the enamel and fortifying it against cavities.
If you are interested in providing dental sealants for your child to protect their oral health, book a consultation appointment with the dentist. They will be happy to answer any questions you have about the process.
Request an appointment or call Northside Dental Care, PC at 978-206-7077 for an appointment in our Peabody office.
Besides good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, dental sealants are another preventive measure that protects the teeth against decay. Tooth cavities or decay remains the most common childhood disease in the United States. Despite the importance of dental sealants, many parents do not know about their purpose and how they work to protect a…
In many situations, dentists successfully utilize dental sealants to protect a patient's teeth from harmful decay. This simple preventative treatment is typically recommended for younger children but can also be helpful for adults as well. In fact, some dental professionals suggest sealants for adults with healthy teeth approaching middle and advanced age. While a wide…
Dental sealant is a plastic coating that is applied onto the chewing surface of teeth. Its job is to prevent sugars, bacteria and plaque from making a home in the pits and grooves of the molars.A dentist will recommend dental sealant to people who are at risk of getting cavities. If the dentist notices deep…
Those missing teeth and seeking a way to restore their smile should consider dental implants. Dentists and their patients are discovering the many benefits of this tooth-replacement over other options, such as dentures and bridges. If you are missing one or more teeth like so many adults, dental implants offer a way to restore your…
Dental implants are a popular tooth replacement option among dental professionals. They offer an array of benefits that other tooth replacement options do not, which is why they are often considered state-of-the-art. However, not everyone is a candidate for dental implants, and dental bridges or dentures are a better fit for some patients. Patients should…