Most people know that sealants are a preventive dental treatment that can help prevent tooth decay. Many people don't know that the American Dental Association recommends them for children between 6 and 12 years old, but not everyone gets them. So, what should you know about sealants for children?
What are sealants, and why would you get them?
Sealants are a thin plastic coating that is applied directly to the chewing surfaces of your teeth. They protect against tooth decay and cavities, which can happen when food particles get stuck in tiny grooves on our teeth and rot away. Sealants are an easy, painless way to prevent tooth decay from ever happening.
Sealants for Children
Your child may be a candidate for sealants if they are at high risk of cavities or tooth decay. That means that if their teeth have deep grooves, pits, and fissures (especially on the back molars), then your dentist might recommend getting them to put on.
If you get sealants done when your child is young, it can last up to ten years!
Please don't wait until something terrible happens- get those tiny grooves sealed before they become huge problems down the road. You'll save money on dental bills later by catching issues early! In addition to preventing cavities from ever starting, removing old fillings costs more than applying new ones, so sealant treatments often save time and money in an office visit while
It's a good idea to get sealants for your child if they have permanent molars and incisors, which are the teeth in between their baby teeth. Sealants can protect these growing teeth from tooth decay until around age 11 or 12, when adult molars come in.
In most cases, children should sit through a dental appointment without any trouble because it takes less than 30 minutes per visit. However, there is always an exception - some kids might need more time during treatment depending on how cooperative they are with getting their mouth opened wide enough for all of the equipment needed to complete the procedure. If you're worried about this happening at your next checkup, talk to us about using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help your child relax during the appointment.
Most people know that sealants are a preventive dental treatment that can help prevent tooth decay. Many people don't know that the American Dental Association recommends them for children between 6 and 12 years old, but not everyone gets them. So, what should you know about sealants for children?