Dental Sealants. What are they?

As a parent, you want to do everything possible to set your child up for a lifetime of good oral health. One of the most effective preventive treatments I recommend is getting dental sealants to shield those young pearly whites from cavities.

What are Dental Sealants? 

Dental sealants are thin protective coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars) to prevent cavities and tooth decay. They act as physical barriers to protect the deep pits and grooves of these teeth from plaque, food particles, and acid attacks.

Made from a tough plastic-like resin, sealants essentially "seal out" decay-causing bacteria and food debris that can get trapped and fester in those hard-to-reach crevices. Sealants make the teeth easier to keep clean and cavity-free.

When Should Kids Get Sealants? 

I typically recommend getting sealants for kids as soon as their first permanent molars come in, around age 6 or 7. Getting sealants on these back teeth as they erupt provides protection right from the start, before cavities have a chance to begin forming.

The second set of permanent molars that come in around age 12 should also be sealed once they appear. Wisdom teeth are less of a priority for sealants since they are harder to keep clean and are often removed.

Benefits of Sealants Multiple studies from the Centers for Disease Control, American Dental Association, and others show that sealants are safe and remarkably effective at preventing cavities in children:

• Sealants protect the chewing surfaces where most cavities in kids occur
• They reduce the risk of decay in molars by around 80%
• Sealants can last for up to 10 years before needing to be reapplied

Getting sealants as soon as the molars appear is an easy, painless way to prevent cavities and stop dental issues before they start. It's one of the most valuable preventive treatments for keeping young smiles healthy!

The Application Process 

Applying sealants is a quick, straightforward process that takes just a few minutes per tooth. After cleaning and drying the tooth surface, the sealant material is brushed on and hardened with a curing light. Your child won't feel a thing!

The earlier those sealants go on, the better protected those precious molars will be throughout childhood and adolescence. Ask me or your dentist about sealants at your child's next appointment!