Cavities are almost always preventable. Along with routine checkups, a healthy diet, and great at-home oral hygiene, sealants can help dramatically reduce your child’s risk of tooth decay.
To begin your child’s treatment at Sycamore Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Britni Kearns will clean their teeth, then use a gentle acid to “etch” their back teeth. This roughens the surface slightly, which ensures their sealants can adhere to the tooth properly.
Next, Dr. Kearns will apply a thin layer of dental sealant material to your child’s teeth using a brush. This process is completely non-invasive and takes only a minute or two for each tooth.
She will harden this layer of resin with a special UV light. The sealant will bond it to your child’s teeth and create a protective barrier against tooth decay. Then, you and your child will be sent home. That’s it! There is no removal of tooth structure, no numbing and your child can eat immediately after placement of their sealants.
Dental sealants are very affordable and are usually covered by dental insurance for patients under the age of 18. This makes them a great option for parents who are on a budget, especially since sealants can eliminate the need for future treatment for tooth decay, like fillings, crowns, or root canals.
Sealants protect against 80% of cavities for two years and protect against 50% of cavities for four years, according to the CDC. This means they're highly effective at cavity prevention, particularly in the back teeth.
Sealants involve no drilling, shots, or discomfort. Even if your child has anxiety about seeing the dentist, sealants are a simple, fast, and non-intimidating procedure. We also offer dental sedation in Tinton Falls to help your little one stay comfortable, if necessary!
Most dentists recommend that kids get dental sealants on their back teeth at the age of about 6-7, or whenever their first set of adult molars emerges.
Then, kids should get sealants again at about the age of 11-12, when their second set of adult molars emerge. However, dental sealants can be effective at any age. For more information, we recommend asking Dr. Kearns about dental sealants for your child during their consultation at Sycamore Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.
Yes. Dental sealants are right for most kids, particularly those who have a history of cavities. Sealants are a very effective way to prevent the formation of future cavities and fight back against tooth decay. Just about every child is a good candidate for treatment with dental sealants.
Dental sealants usually last about three to five years, but can sometimes stay in place for longer if sticky candies are avoided. When your child’s sealants begin to wear out, Dr. Kearns can discuss whether or not they should be replaced or repaired. Every child is different, so it may not always be necessary for them to get dental sealants again.
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