The Basics
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a type of preventive dentistry procedure used to eliminate the risk of your child developing cavities. They are used mostly in kids, but some adults may choose to get dental sealants, too.
They consist of a thin layer of liquid dental resin, which is applied directly to your child’s rear molars. Most of the time, only the rear molars are treated with sealants, since these teeth have deep pits and grooves and a large surface area, which makes them more prone to cavities.
Once the sealant is applied, it’s hardened using a special light, which creates an impenetrable barrier on the tooth that protects the enamel. Because oral acid and bacteria can’t directly contact the enamel, this prevents tooth decay.
Early Protection
Can Dental Sealants Be Put on Baby Teeth?
Dental sealants are typically recommended to be applied to the first and second permanent molars when they first come in at around age 6 and age 12. However, there are some cases in which dental sealants may be recommended to be applied to baby teeth.
If your child’s baby teeth have severe pits and grooves on the surface of the tooth, this can make cleaning the tooth more difficult and cavities more likely. In this case, sealants will be recommended for baby molars, especially if they’re at risk for tooth decay.
Sealant Lifespan
How Long Do Sealants Last?
Sealants last for 2-7 years or longer if they are properly taken care of. Sealants are prone to breaking or falling off so it’s important to practice good oral hygiene and regularly attend dental visits every 6 months. At your cleanings and checkups, your dentist can examine your teeth and let you know if your sealants need to be reapplied.
Dental sealants protect against cavities by 80% in the first two years after application and reduce to about 50% protection after the first 4 years. While cavity protection reduces over time and sealants are at risk of becoming damaged, they still offer significant protection compared to having no sealants at all.
School children of the same age without dental sealants are three times as likely to develop cavities than children with dental sealants. Sealants are an incredibly effective and useful tool in the cavity prevention toolbag. Take care of your teeth and regularly check how your sealants are holding up and you shouldn’t run into any problems.
Preventing Decay
Besides Sealants, Are There Other Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay?
There are many other ways to prevent tooth decay other than dental sealants. The best way to ward off cavities and prevent decay is to use these methods in conjunction with dental sealants for the best protection.
Wean off of Pacifier & Baby Bottle – For very young children, sucking on something is a very natural instinct that can soothe a baby. However, if it is done for a prolonged time, it can lead to long-term oral health problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, changes to the roof of the mouth, improper bite alignment, and crooked teeth.
Try to encourage your child to drink out of a cup by the time they turn one and wean them off of a pacifier by around 2 years old.
Good Oral Hygiene – Your child should brush their teeth twice a day for at least two minutes and floss once daily. If your child wears an orthodontic appliance like braces, they should try to use a water flosser for more effective and easier flossing.
Before a baby’s teeth come in, you can clean their mouth with a gauze pad or soft cloth. Their first tooth will come in at around 1 year old and you can use a very soft baby toothbrush and a fluoridated toothpaste the size of a grain of rice until they are 3 years old.
From ages 3-6, brush your child’s teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste until they can do it on their own. Monitor them to make sure they don’t swallow the toothpaste.
Regular Dental Checkups – You should take your child to their first dental appointment by the time they are 1 year old or receive their first tooth – whichever comes first. From then on, take them to regular dental cleanings and checkups every 6 months to prevent tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
Fluoride – Fluoride protects your teeth against cavities and can reverse tooth decay in its early stages. If you don’t drink water that contains fluoride, you should make sure that you use a fluoridated toothpaste or mouthwash and receive fluoride treatments at the dentist.
Nutritious Diet – Avoid a diet that is high in starches, sugar, and acids. These all contribute to cavities and enamel erosion. Limit soda, bread, baked goods, and juices so they are only consumed in moderation.
The Benefits of Dental Sealants
Get the Royal Treatment for Your Little One
Long-lasting protection
With proper application from an experienced dentist, dental sealants can last up to 10 years, which means your child will enjoy long-lasting protection against cavities for years to come.
Affordable Treatment
Dental sealants are inexpensive and can be applied after any routine teeth cleaning and oral exam at Milpitas Children’s Dental. They’re also covered by almost all health insurance and dental insurance plans, further reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
Peace Of Mind
With dental sealants, you can get peace of mind knowing that your child has the best possible protection against tooth decay, and that their smile will remain healthy and free of cavities.
What To Expect
The Dental Sealants Process
The dental sealants process is quick and easy, so your child can get the treatment they need without fear or anxiety at Milpitas Children’s Dentistry.
Usually, we’ll place dental sealants as part of aroutine six-month teeth cleaning, but if your child has to come in for a separate appointment, their teeth will need to be cleaned again to remove any surface debris.
Next, Dr. Richard will apply a very mild acid to the surface of your child’s rear molars. This acid roughens the enamel slightly, ensuring a tight hold for the dental resin. Then, he will apply a thin coat of liquid dental resin to each molar, carefully “painting” the entire surface of the tooth with sealant material.Once the tooth has been covered with resin, a UV light is used to activate the plastic resin material. This quickly hardens it into a hard, durable, transparent barrier. This process will be repeated for each molar.
Kids usually get sealants twice, once when their first permanent molars grow into their mouths at the age of about 5-7, and again when the second set of permanent molars erupts at about the age of 11-14.
Crowns vs. Fillings
What You Need to Know
Both dental fillings and crowns are used to restore decayed teeth. The main difference is that fillings are not appropriate for extensive decay. In teeth that have very large cavities, a filling won’t be strong enough to protect and restore the tooth.
So, in these cases, a crown is a better option. Because it will cover up and replace the entire tooth structure, it will be stronger, more resistant to wear and tear, and provide better overall results compared to a filling. At your child’s appointment, Dr. Richard can discuss the differences between these treatments in more detail, and help you determine which option is right for your child.