Now that your child’s permanent molars have begun erupting, you may be curious about how you can help shield them from cavities as they grow. You see, children who are old enough to brush and floss their back teeth on their own often still struggle to get them completely clean, increasing their risk of cavities and decay. But don’t despair. Dental sealants from your pediatric dentist can help provide an added layer of protection for those vulnerable molars. Here’s how, and what you should know about this smile saving treatment!
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are thin coatings that are applied directly to the chewing surfaces of the back molars. Typically, they are made of plastic resins or glass ionomer materials and then hardened into place with a special curing light. They are designed to fill in the deep grooves and block out cavity-causing bacteria and food from the teeth, preventing cavities and decay until your child is old enough to brush properly.
Do Dental Sealants Hurt?
Getting dental sealants is completely painless. Your child’s dentist will apply them following their dental cleaning, so their teeth have no buildup or debris trapped underneath. Sealants are applied like a varnish painted directly onto the tooth and sealed with a special curing light. The entire process takes a few moments and is completely painless. In fact, treatment is so comfortable they won’t even require a local anesthetic, and once they leave the dental chair, they can immediately resume eating and drinking their normal diet.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
With proper care, your child’s dental sealants can last for up to ten years and can reduce the risk of cavities on the molars by up to 80 percent during that time! Dental sealants are also very discreet. Most are either translucent, tooth colored, or white, so nobody will see them when your child opens their mouth to eat, speak, or smile.
How Do You Care for Dental Sealants?
The great news is that dental sealants require no special care. In fact, they can be brushed and flossed around just like your untreated teeth. They also have no dietary restrictions, so your child won’t need to give up their favorite foods. Your dentist does recommend avoiding using treated teeth to crunch on hard things like ice and lollipops, and to be careful with very sticky gummies or taffy, as these can sometimes pull the sealants off.
Remember, with proper care, your child’s dental sealants can provide an added layer of protection against cavities on back molars for up to ten years. If you’d like to safeguard their growing smile and give it an extra line of defense against decay, speak to your pediatric dentist about dental sealants today!
About Our Practice
At Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth, we want your child’s smile to be as beautiful and pain-free as possible. That’s why we’re proud to offer protective treatments like dental sealants. If your kiddo has recently developed their back molars but is struggling to keep them clean, talk to their dentist about the benefits of dental sealants, and help give them an added layer of protection against cavities and decay for up to ten years. To book your child’s next exam and cleaning (with or without sealants) visit our website or call 516-517-0331.