Often, children fail to brush the back of their mouth, which can result in tooth decay and cavities. But even when kids do a good job of brushing and flossing their teeth, it’s still difficult for food and plaque to be removed from all those crannies and nooks of the back teeth. That’s why dental sealants are a great dental tool for protecting children against tooth decay, as they seal out food particles and plaque. Hooper Dentistry shares some information about dental sealants and how they work to protect your child’s teeth.
Dental sealants are used as barricades for preventing cavities. These thin, plastic coatings are placed on the chewing surface of a patient’s teeth. They’re typically applied to the premolars and molars of the rear teeth, which is the area where tooth decay mainly occurs. Additionally, the enamel on the back teeth is thinner, making these teeth harder to clean. If you’re a parent, here’s what you need to know about dental sealants.
Who Needs To Get Dental Sealants?
Children and teens should get sealants. This is because it’s highly probable that they can develop tooth decay in the grooves and depressions of premolars and molars.
In most cases, kids need to have dental sealants on their premolars and permanent molars when these teeth start emerging so that their teeth can be protected from cavities. Typically, dental sealants are applied to a child’s first molars, which usually is around age six. Most kids get their second molars by their 12th birthday.
Sometimes, even baby teeth need sealants, such as when baby teeth contain grooves or depressions. Baby teeth are extremely important in holding the spaces for a child’s permanent teeth.
Adults, especially those who are more prone to developing cavities, can also be candidates for sealants. In fact, today, sealants are being applied to the teeth of people of all walks of life as an effective way to protect against tooth decay.
Application Process
Besides being simple, the application of sealants is also simple, taking just a few minutes.
- The first step is cleaning the teeth that need to be sealed.
- Next, the dentist conditions the teeth by using an etching gel to cover the spot where the sealant will be applied. After the gel has sat for about a minute, it’s rinsed off. The etching gel enables the sealant to bond to the teeth.
- The dentist washes off the gel and dries the tooth with an air gun.
- The next step is assessing what’s been done. The treated tooth should have a dull, frosty look, similar that of etched glass. This indicates that the roughness of the tooth can enable the sealant to stick and remain in place.
- The sealant is then applied to the grooves of the tooth. Because the sealant is liquid, it’s able to pour into the nooks and crannies of each groove. It isn’t necessary for the sealant to cover the entire surface of a tooth, but only the pits and crevices that could be traps for debris.
- Next, the dentist shines a curing light or dental flashlight, producing blue light, which helps the sealant harden.
- After the sealant is cured and hardened, your dentist checks to ensure that every groove has been adequately filled. Because the thickness of the sealant shouldn’t affect how the other teeth bite against the treated tooth, the dentist checks the patient’s bite. If the sealant is too thick, a dental drill is used for thinning it out.
Considerations and Warnings
- As soon as the teeth have dried, patients can eat or drink normally.
- In most cases, sealants are good for five to ten years. But this is provided that people continue to get regular dental care and checkups to ensure there are no chips or wear on them.
- Many insurance companies will cover the cost of sealants; however, first check to make sure your plan covers this dental treatment.
Dental Sealants: Contact Us Today!
To learn more about dental sealants, call Hooper General & Cosmetic Dentistry. Our team of dental professionals has years of combined experience working with patients of all ages. Dr. Christopher Hooper is an expert in preventative dental solutions. Schedule your appointment today!
