Did you know that over half of children ages 6-8 have had a cavity? Brushing twice and flossing once daily is the best way to prevent tooth decay. However, when brushing and flossing are not enough, sealants can give your child’s teeth an extra layer of protection against cavities. Read on to learn about the benefits of dental sealants and how they could benefit your child’s smile. 

What are Sealants?  

Run your tongue over the chewing services of your molars–– does it feel smooth or textured? Molars naturally have deep grooves running through the chewing surfaces. These grooves have many nooks and crannies that create easy places for excess food particles and bacteria to hide. It can be challenging for little hands still mastering fine motor skills to clean these areas. If a spot is consistently missed by a toothbrush, it will likely develop tooth decay. A dental sealant fills these deep grooves with a medical grade resin, shielding the coated area from plaque and other harmful bacteria.   

Sealants can reduce the risk of tooth decay by approximately 80%. Although sealants are an effective preventive measure against cavities, they are not a replacement for brushing and flossing. Sealants simply make chewing surfaces easier to clean. Children still need to maintain a thorough oral hygiene routine to keep their smiles healthy.    

What Age Should My Child Receive Sealants?  

Your child’s first set of permanent molars will erupt around age 6. By age 12, their second set of molars will appear. It is a good idea to seal these sets of molars as soon as they emerge. Applying sealants soon after the teeth erupt will help keep them free of decay from the start and may even save you money by preventing the need for restorative treatments in the future. However, sealants can also be applied over teeth that have a small amount of decay to prevent it from progressing. Since sealants are clear, dentists can monitor the tooth's condition at your child's routine dental exams. Furthermore, sealant treatment is not just for kids! Many adults use sealants to protect their smiles from cavities.  

Treatment Process 

A sealant treatment can be completed in just one appointment and is completely painless. Your child’s dentist will start by sanitizing your child’s teeth. Then, an acidic gel is applied to rough up the chewing surfaces to help the sealant material form a strong bond to the teeth. The gel is then rinsed off, and the teeth are dried to prepare for the sealant material. Sealant material is evenly painted onto the grooves of the molars and cured with a blue light to finish the treatment. Your child’s chewing surfaces will then have protection for several years. Your child’s dentist will monitor their sealants at their annual exams and let you know when the treatment needs to be reapplied.