There’s a good chance you’re planning your child’s next dental visit soon. That’d be a good move; early checkups help kids have strong smiles. Still, don’t forget to consider dental sealants before you settle the final date. Adding them to your youngster’s treatment will protect their grin, ensuring they sport healthy teeth for years. Learn more about the matter in this primer on how dental sealants can save your child’s oral health.

Context: What are Dental Sealants?

A routine checkup can protect any kid’s young smile. That said, dental sealants take this protection even further.

Dental sealants are thin white (or clear) liquids applied to a child’s molars with a small brush. Made of resin or glass powder compounds, they’re often “runny” and flow into the micro-grooves of kids’ teeth. Sealants can thus bond to a given tooth once they’ve been dried with a blue LED light.

Thankfully, dental sealants aren’t invasive and don’t require numbing agents. Applying them to a child’s teeth is a painless process, so they shouldn’t upset your kiddo!

How Do They Help Your Child’s Smile?

Rest assured, dental sealants wouldn’t be a needless add-on to a child’s checkup. Getting them means more protection for your little one’s smile.

It’s best to think of dental sealants as a shield for the back teeth. Because they cover the chewing surfaces of a child’s molars, they keep harmful germs, food debris, and plaque away from enamel. This effect protects kids from tooth decay, making cavities much less likely.

Indeed, the current research backs up these facts. The American Dental Association (ADA) finds dental sealants reduce a child’s risk of cavities by 80%. Even better, the liquids offer that protection for a minimum of 3-5 years; they can last up to 10 years if well-maintained.

Which Kids Really Need Dental Sealants?

If your child truly needs dental sealants, they’ll show one (or more) of the following qualities:

• Permanent Molars – To prevent decay from the start, most dentists advise that children get sealants as soon as their permanent molars arrive.
• Teeth with Grooves – Kids whose “baby” molars have major grooves or pits greatly benefit from sealants.
• Risk of Tooth Decay – When a child neglects their teeth or has a high risk of tooth decay, it’s a good idea to get sealants for them.

All in all, dental sealants will save almost any kid’s smile. Try including them in your child’s upcoming trip to the dentist.

About the Practice

Sprout Dentistry for Kids is based in McKinney, TX. Led by Drs. Justin and Sage, our practice gladly works with kids of all ages. We’re able to help the smiles of infants, toddlers, pre-teens, and even teenagers! Whether your little one needs dental sealants or dental crowns, our team is here for them. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (469)-301-3212.