What are dental sealants, and does your child really need them?

Dental sealants offer excellent cavity prevention, creating a protective layer over the chewing surface of molars to prevent tooth decay and wear. While sealants are suitable for patients of all ages, they can be particularly helpful for children who are more prone to developing cavities.

But how do dental sealants work exactly, and how do you know if your child needs them?

What exactly are sealants?

Dental sealants are a commonly used preventive dentistry treatment. They’re made of composite resin, a material that is applied as a liquid and cured to form a durable solid using UV light.

Composite resin is used in a variety of family dentistry treatments, from fillings to composite veneers. The sealants last for several years, providing exceptional protection after just one quick application.

To understand how sealants safeguard your child’s smile, it helps to first have an idea of what causes cavities. Bacteria are always present in anyone’s mouth, and those bacteria secrete acid. That acid weakens tooth enamel, allowing it to wear away during routine activities like biting and chewing.

Dental sealants provide a protective layer over tooth enamel on the chewing surface of the molars. Molars are one of the most common areas for cavities to form due to their heavy use in chewing and difficulty in brushing them properly. The dental sealants work to prevent bacteria and bits of food from lingering on the surface, stopping enamel wear from taking hold.

What are the benefits of dental sealants for children?

Dental sealants are available for patients of all ages. However, children are among the most common candidates because they can typically benefit the most from the additional protection. Maintaining proper oral hygiene can be a challenge for children, so protecting hard-to-brush areas may reduce their risk of cavities.

Keep in mind that dental sealants are also useful even when your child still has their baby teeth. Losing baby teeth early due to tooth decay can negatively affect the emergence of adult teeth. Dental sealants help young children avoid these negative outcomes and ensure proper development.

Choosing dental sealants for your child also benefits you as a parent. This is an affordable treatment that can help you avoid more costly procedures, such as dental fillings and root canals. It can also mean fewer appointments required for cavities and other oral health issues, putting less strain on your busy schedule.

How does the sealant procedure work?

The sealant procedure is painless, fast, and non-invasive, requiring no local anesthetic. Our skilled team at Alani Dental Center handles this straightforward procedure quickly and effectively, ensuring a smooth experience and lasting results.

First, we’ll clean off the molars to prepare them for the procedure. In most cases, we use a rubber dam to isolate teeth during the sealing process to prevent any saliva contamination. We then etch the tooth surface with a compound, ensuring optimal adhesion for lasting protection.

Once we’ve prepared the tooth, we apply the dental sealant itself. The resin fills nooks and crannies on the tooth surface and covers it completely. We hold a specialized UV light near the tooth surface without touching it, curing the resin into its final hardened state in moments.

The entire treatment, from start to finish, typically takes less than half an hour. Your child can walk out of the office with a stronger and healthier smile, with no aftercare requirements or restrictions.

Does your child really need them?

Dental sealants have grown in popularity over the years, but many parents didn’t have them when they were children and question whether they’re truly necessary. In general, the treatment provides additional prevention with no serious downsides, so it is recommended for most children.

Dental sealants are often applied as soon as the first permanent molars emerge between the ages of five and seven. The second set of molars comes in between 11 and 14 years old, so you might opt to seal both sets then or each set separately as they emerge.

Your child’s oral health history is another factor to consider. If your child has experienced many cavities in the past, or has experienced significant wear on biting surfaces, then dental sealants can provide the additional protection they need.

You can find out for sure whether dental sealants are the right choice by speaking with your child’s dentist. A dentist visit can provide you with professional advice tailored to your child’s unique needs.

Find the best cavity prevention for your child in Chattanooga.

Dental sealants are a convenient and effective treatment option designed to significantly reduce the risk of cavities. If you’re searching for a “dentist near me” to provide dental sealants for your child (or you), look no further than Alani Dental Center.

We take pride in providing holistic, family-friendly dental care to the Chattanooga community, and we can recommend the best options to consider for your child’s long-term oral health. Book an appointment with us today.