How dental sealants protect kids' teeth from cavities
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April 05, 2022
Dental sealants are an important way to protect teeth from cavities, especially for children. It’s a simple and painless procedure that reduces the risk of tooth decay by up to 80% and can last for years.
What is a dental sealant?
A dental sealant is a coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of molars. These back teeth contain small pits and grooves that trap food. Food left in these spaces, even after brushing, combines with bacteria to cause tooth decay. Dental sealants prevent this from happening.
Why are dental sealants important?
Dental sealants protect teeth from cavities.
School-aged children who don’t have sealants have 3 times as many first molar cavities as children who receive dental sealants.
Cavities and other oral health issues in children can impact their ability to learn, talk, eat, and their self-esteem.
How are dental sealants applied?
Applying sealants is easy and painless.
Each tooth to be treated is cleaned to ensure the sealant sticks. The sealant material is then applied to the tooth and hardens.
The entire process takes only a few minutes for each tooth.
When should children get sealants?
Generally, sealants should be applied as soon as the tooth comes in. For molars, that’s usually between the ages of 5-12. But, sealants are important and can be applied into the teen years.
How long do sealants last?
Every person is different, but sealants can last for several years. Your dentist will check on them during routine visits.
How much do dental sealants cost?
Because sealants prevent cavities, which are more expensive to fix, most dental plans cover them for children with little or no out-of-pocket cost. The savings can be significant. Treating a decayed tooth can cost up to $3,000 over a lifetime!
Ask your dentist about sealants today!