What Parents Need To Know About Dental Sealants For Children

Dental sealants for children are extremely helpful in avoiding cavities and decay, especially for children who show tantrums while brushing. Sealants are thin coverings on back teeth (molars) that prevent food particles and bacteria from settling into cavity-forming grooves.

Understanding dental sealants’ purpose, application, benefits, and maintenance will help parents make informed decisions to protect their children’s dental health. Huffman Pediatric Dentist can help you get a better idea of everything.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings applied by a dentist to molar chewing surfaces. Food particles easily get stuck. These particles generally develop cavities in molars due to their deep grooves and pits. Dental sealants smooth these grooves, making plaque difficult to attach to and cleaning easier.

Sealants protect the enamel from food and microorganisms. They also protect youngsters against tooth decay and acids, in addition to brushing and flossing. Huffman Pediatric Dentist highly recommends these for your kids in Texas who are facing cavity issues.

Reasons to Use Child Teeth Sealants

Children who have trouble cleaning their back teeth benefit from dental sealants. Sealants are a smart dental investment for your child for these reasons:

• The application process is quick and painless, making it easy for youngsters who are nervous about dental treatments.
• Molars are more prone to cavities because of their form and position. Sealants prevent cavities on sensitive surfaces.
• Sealants prevent cavities, saving parents money on costly and time-consuming restorative dental treatments.
• Preventive sealants are less invasive. They don’t require drilling or tooth removal like fillings or dental crowns.

When Should Your Kids Get Dental Sealants?

Sealants are advised when permanent molars come in between 6 and 12 years old. They protect teeth at risk for cavities early on. If primary teeth have deep grooves and the child is at risk of cavities, sealants may be administered.

The majority of sealants are on permanent molars. Sealants can also help teens with cavities or dental concerns. The need for dental sealants ultimately depends on the urgency of the dental issue to avoid further problems.

Applying Dental Sealants

According to Huffman Pediatric Dentist, simple dental sealant application takes minutes per tooth. This painless, fast technique can usually be done in one dentist appointment.

• Cleaning and Drying: The dentist will clean and dry the teeth to remove debris and bacteria.
• Etching: A moderate acidic solution roughens the chewing surface. It helps the sealant stick to the tooth. After etching, the tooth is cleaned and dried again.
• Sealant Application: The dentist puts liquid sealer on the teeth. Some lights may harden the sealant, making a strong layer of protection.

Are Child Dental Sealants Safe

Children can safely use dental sealants. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have advocated sealants for decades.

Parents may worry about sealant BPA exposure. There are very tiny quantities of BPA in some sealants, making them safe. Preventing cavities outweighs BPA’s little risk.

Durability of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants usually last 5–10 years when maintained properly. However, if the child grinds their teeth, they may chip or wear down. Sealants are checked and reapplied by dentists at frequent visits. Encourage your youngster to brush their teeth and avoid hard foods to prolong sealant life.

However, damaged or worn sealants can be easily fixed or reapplied. Sealants cannot substitute for brushing and flossing. They bolster oral hygiene by providing protection. Children should brush twice a day, floss every day, and have regular dental checkups.

Kids Dental Sealant Cost in Texas

The cost of dental sealants depends on the dentist’s location, the number of teeth sealed, and insurance coverage. Medicaid and many dental plans cover child sealants as preventive care. Consult your insurer beforehand.

Sealants cost $30–$60 per tooth if paid out-of-pocket. Sealants are a good investment since they reduce dental costs. Huffman Pediatric Dentist is one of the most trusted and cost-efficient dentists in Texas to have dental sealants.

Conclusion

Dental sealants are affordable and reduce your child’s risk of cavities. They’re painless, safe, and last years or longer with proper care. Sealants decrease decay by sealing sensitive chewing surfaces, making them a great addition to brushing, flossing, and dental checkups.

Contact Huffman Pediatric Dentist to see if sealants are right for your kids and help them keep a healthy smile! They can improve your kid’s oral health without breaking the bank.
FAQs

Q: Can cavity-filled teeth have sealants?
A: Preventive sealants work best on healthy teeth. They are sometimes placed over small rotting areas to avoid additional harm.

Q: Do sealants hurt to apply?
A: Sealants are painless and require no anesthesia.

Q: Are sealants for kids only?
A: Sealants are best for youngsters, but teens and adults at high risk for cavities can benefit too.