As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your child’s teeth and prevent cavities. One highly effective way to give your child that extra protection is through dental sealants. Dental sealants are a simple, painless treatment (no needles or anesthesia required) that provides an added layer of defense against tooth decay, especially for hard-to-reach molars. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about dental sealants and how they can help keep your child’s smile healthy and strong.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating that’s applied to the chewing surfaces of your child’s back teeth (molars). These teeth have small grooves and pits where food particles and bacteria can easily get trapped, making them more vulnerable to cavities. Sealants work by covering these deep grooves and creating a smooth surface that is easier to clean and more resistant to decay.
When Should Kids Get Dental Sealants?
Kids should get dental sealants as soon as their permanent molars start coming in, which usually happens around the age of six or seven. These first molars, often called “6-year molars,” are especially vulnerable to cavities because their deep grooves can trap food and bacteria. Applying sealants early can help protect these teeth before any decay starts.
The second set of molars, known as “12-year molars,” typically come in between ages 11 and 13. It’s important to apply sealants to these teeth as well, as they are also at a higher risk for cavities during these years. In some cases, dental sealants may even be recommended for baby teeth, especially if they have deep grooves or pitted areas that make them more prone to decay.
Getting dental sealants at the right time can significantly improve your child’s oral health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sealants can prevent up to 80% of cavities in the first two years after they are applied and can continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to four years. By applying sealants early, especially when your child’s permanent molars first come in, you can help safeguard their permanent teeth during the most cavity-prone years. This simple preventive measure can make a lasting impact on your child’s dental health and give you peace of mind.
The Dental Sealant Procedure: How Are They Applied?
Applying dental sealants is a quick, simple, and painless procedure that can be done during a regular dental visit. Here’s how the process works:
- Cleaning the Teeth: First, we clean your child’s teeth thoroughly to remove any food particles or plaque from the surface. This ensures that the sealant will bond properly to the tooth.
- Preparing the Tooth: Next, a special solution is applied to the chewing surface of the tooth to help the sealant stick. After a few seconds, the solution is rinsed off, and the tooth is dried completely.
- Applying the Sealant: We will then paint the liquid sealant onto the surface of the tooth. It flows into the grooves and pits, creating a protective barrier.
- Hardening the Sealant: A special curing light is used to harden the sealant. Within seconds, the sealant forms a strong, protective shield over the tooth.
The entire procedure is fast, usually taking just a few minutes per tooth, and is completely comfortable for your child.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
Dental sealants can last up to ten years if they are maintained properly. How long they last can vary depending on these key factors:
- Oral Hygiene: Good brushing and flossing habits are essential to keep sealants in good shape. By maintaining proper dental hygiene, your child reduces the risk of plaque buildup that can weaken the sealants. Regular cleaning helps protect not only the sealants but also the teeth underneath, ensuring long-lasting cavity protection.
- Chewing Habits: Kids who habitually chew on hard objects like ice, pencils, or fingernails may cause the sealants to wear down more quickly. These habits put unnecessary pressure on the teeth, causing the protective sealants to chip or break down over time. Encouraging your child to avoid chewing on non-food items can help extend the life of their sealants.
- Diet: A diet high in sugary or sticky foods can accelerate the wear and tear on sealants. Foods like candy, gummy snacks, or sugary drinks can cling to the sealant’s surface, making it more likely to break down. Acidic foods and drinks, such as soda or citrus, can also contribute to faster erosion of the sealants. Limiting these items in your child’s diet can help protect both their sealants and overall dental health.
- Tooth Grinding: Children who grind their teeth, a condition known as bruxism, place constant pressure on their teeth, which can cause the sealants to wear down faster. If your child grinds their teeth, especially at night, it may be helpful to consult with us about potential treatments, such as a night guard, to protect both their teeth and the sealants.
- Regular Dental Visits: Routine dental checkups are important for monitoring the condition of the tooth sealants. During these visits, we can check for any signs of wear or damage. If the sealants are showing signs of wear, we can reapply them to ensure continued protection.
With proper care, dental sealants can provide many years of protection, giving your child an extra defense against cavities during their most cavity-prone years.
Are Dental Sealants Safe for Kids?
Yes, dental sealants are completely safe for kids and have been used for decades as a preventive treatment to protect teeth from cavities. They are widely recommended by pediatric dentists and recognized by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) for their safety and benefits. Sealants are made from a durable, safe plastic material with no known harmful side effects. While it’s true that dental sealants contain a tiny amount of BPA, the level is so low that it poses no risk to your child’s health.
Can Sealants Be Placed Over Cavities?
Yes, sealants can sometimes be placed over very small cavities or areas of early tooth decay. If a cavity is in its early stages and has not created a large hole in the tooth, a sealant can help stop the decay from spreading. However, sealants are most effective when applied to healthy teeth that do not have cavities. For larger cavities, we will need to clean out the decay and possibly place a filling before applying a sealant.
Do Dental Sealants Replace Brushing and Flossing?
No, dental sealants do not replace brushing and flossing. While sealants provide an extra layer of protection against cavities by covering the grooves and pits of your child’s back teeth, they are only one part of a complete oral hygiene routine. It’s still essential for your child to brush twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from areas sealants can’t reach, like between the teeth and along the gumline.
Sealants work best when paired with regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits. Together, these habits help keep your child’s teeth healthy and strong for years to come. At Camp Smile Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we always encourage good oral hygiene habits alongside preventive treatments like sealants to maintain your child’s beautiful smile.
Fluoride vs. Dental Sealants
Both fluoride treatments and dental sealants are effective preventive measures against tooth decay, but they work in different ways.
- Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen the tooth enamel and can reverse early signs of tooth decay. It’s highly effective at reinforcing all the surfaces of the teeth and is an essential part of every dental checkup. Fluoride helps to remineralize weak spots on teeth and makes them more resistant to acid from bacteria and sugary foods.
- Dental Sealants, on the other hand, provide a physical barrier that covers the deep grooves and pits of molars, where food particles and plaque can easily become trapped. By filling in these grooves, sealants make it harder for cavity-causing bacteria to hide. Unlike fluoride, which strengthens the entire tooth, sealants only protect the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
Studies show that combining fluoride treatments with dental sealants provides the best defense against cavities. According to an ADA study, children who received both fluoride treatments and dental sealants were 73% less likely to develop cavities than those who only received fluoride.
We recommend using both fluoride treatments and dental sealants as part of your child’s preventive dental care. Together, they offer a comprehensive approach to protecting your child’s teeth, helping them avoid cavities and maintain a healthy, bright smile for years to come.
Why Are Dental Sealants Important?
Dental sealants are a highly effective way to prevent cavities, especially in children. According to the CDC, children aged six to eleven without sealants are nearly three times more likely to develop cavities in their molars than those who have sealants. This is because molars are particularly prone to cavities because they are harder for kids to clean thoroughly. Even with regular brushing and flossing, the toothbrush can’t always reach these deep surfaces, which makes sealants an ideal solution. By applying sealants to your child’s molars, you can significantly reduce the risk of cavities, helping them maintain healthier teeth as they grow.
Sealants are not only effective at preventing cavities, but they can also save both time and money in the long run. The CDC estimates that applying sealants could prevent over 3 million cavities each year, saving families up to $300 million in dental treatment costs. By preventing cavities early, sealants help reduce the need for more invasive treatments like fillings, crowns, or even extractions, keeping your child’s teeth healthy and strong.
At Camp Smile Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’re dedicated to giving your child the best possible start to a lifetime of healthy smiles. Preventive care, like dental sealants, is a simple and effective way to protect your child’s teeth from cavities and ensure long-lasting oral health. If you’re ready to take the next step in protecting your child’s smile, contact us today to schedule an appointment. Together, we can help your child build strong, healthy smiles and a bright, confident smile for years to come!