Dental Sealants Protect Your Childs Teeth

Dental sealant are a thin, protective coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth – mostly on the back teeth – to help prevent tooth decay. Sealants bond quickly into the grooves and depressions of the teeth, forming a defensive shield over the tooth enamel. Even though thorough flossing and brushing often remove the majority of plaque and food particles from the teeth’s smooth surfaces, simple hygiene does not always get into all the nooks and crannies of the back teeth to get rid of plaque and food particles. Sealants can help protect these crucial areas from tooth decay by sealing out food and plaque.

Who Needs to Get Dental Sealants?

Because developing decay in the grooves and depressions of the molars and premolars is more common in children, they are good candidates for sealants. But adults without fillings or decay in their molars can also benefit from sealants. Typically, children need to get sealants on their permanent premolars and molars once these teeth have established themselves in the dental arch. Applying sealants too soon may leave the lower portion of the tooth unprotected.

When the baby teeth of a child have deep grooves and depressions or when the child has poor dental hygiene habits, sealants are often recommended by the pediatric dentist in Newtown. Since baby teeth play a very important role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth, it is important that these teeth be kept healthy so they are not lost too soon.

How are Dental Sealants Applied?

Applying dental sealants is a relatively painless and simple process, so it should not be feared by kids or their parents. It will only take a few minutes for the dentist or hygienist to apply the sealant to seal every tooth. The procedure starts by thoroughly cleaning the teeth to be sealed. Every tooth is then dried by an absorbent material.

The dentist will put an acidic solution on the chewing surfaces of the teeth to roughen them up slightly and this helps the sealant bond to the enamel. The sealant is then painted onto the enamel of the tooth, where it will directly bond to the tooth and harden. At times, a special curing light is used to facilitate the hardening process.

How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?

When properly applied and cared for, dental sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to a decade. However, they need to be regularly checked for erosion and chipping during dental check-ups. Your kids dentist in Pennington can replace sealants as necessary. Most insurance companies do cover the cost of dental sealants, so check with your insurance carrier first to determine if sealants are covered under your particular insurance plan.

Dental sealants offer a great way to protect the teeth of your kids, especially during those years when they are highly prone to teeth decay and damage. It is good news that the pediatric dentistry world has come up with options like sealants to help ensure good dental health. Visit your pediatric dental offices in Langhorne or in your area now to get more information about dental sealants.