Dental Sealants
Protecting tricky areas in your child’s mouth
Even with good oral hygiene and regular visits, it’s an unfortunate fact that children are extremely prone to cavities. Dental sealants are an important preventive measure that helps prevent decay on a child’s permanent molars.
What are dental sealants?
A dental sealant is a thin coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth, most often to the back teeth. Many cavities are often found in these areas that can be tricky to reach with brushing, and which have many grooves and pits. Sealants serve as an extra barrier to cavity- causing bacteria.
Should my child receive sealants?
Our dentists recommend that sealants be placed to help preserve your child’s teeth. We would be happy to discuss the benefits of sealants at your child’s next appointment, as well as the time period when sealants will be most effective.
Dental sealants are not a permanent tool for cavity protection and are not a substitution for routine dental visits and home care. Because dental sealants are temporary, they usually wear away within a few years of application.
How are dental sealants applied?
Placing dental sealants is a relatively quick and painless process. First, we clean and dry your child’s tooth before placing an acidic gel. Then, we rinse off the gel and dry your child’s tooth. We apply the sealant into the grooves of your child’s tooth and then use a special blue light to harden the sealant. Our pediatric dentists will check the condition of your child’s sealants and can reapply them if needed.
