Dental Sealants For Children
Teaching children proper brushing and flossing habits and techniques is the best way to prevent tooth decay and cavities. It can be difficult for some children to get their teeth completely clean, especially the back molars. Leftover food provides a breeding ground for the bacteria that lead to plaque and tartar, which can cause cavities over time.
You can give your child's teeth an extra layer of protection in the form of dental sealants. Sealants protect against 80 percent of cavities for the first two years and protect against 50 percent of cavities for up to four years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How They Work
Dental sealants are a thin plastic coating placed over the back teeth, which are the most vulnerable to decay due to food that sticks in the grooves of the molars. The sealant material bonds to the tooth, sealing in the grooves and pits to create a protective shield over the tooth enamel that keeps food and bacteria off the surface.
How They're Applied
Most children can have dental sealants applied in a single visit. Your child's dentist will first clean their teeth thoroughly and then dry them off. The dentist applies an acidic gel on the teeth to be sealed. The gel creates a rough texture on the tooth to give the sealant an easy surface to adhere to.
The dentist will rinse the gel off after a few seconds and dry the teeth off again before applying the plastic sealant in the grooves and ridges of the tooth. A light is used to harden the sealant and complete the process.
When Children Should Get Them
Most children get their first molars when they're around six years old. It's best to have dental sealant applied as soon as possible after your child gets their molars to prevent decay. In some cases, dentists can put sealants over teeth that already have minor decay to prevent it from getting worse.
When children get their second set of molars, which is usually between 11 and 14 years old, they'll need to go back to the dentist for sealant application on the new teeth.
Some dental insurance plans cover sealants for children as preventive maintenance.
Proper oral health care includes regular visits to the dentist. Schedule an appointment for your child at a pediatric dental clinic at least once every six months for an examination and cleaning.
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