Stuff You Want To Know About Sealants

When you’re making your foray into the world of children’s dentistry, you will find that just about all dentists push for dental sealants for your child. If this is a new treatment to you, one that you haven’t thought about in a long time, or something you just want a bit more information about, we understand. Since it’s an exceptionally beneficial option for younger smiles, we encourage you become familiar with the ins and outs, so you feel confident in relying on sealants (in part) to protect your little one’s smile.

The Ins and Outs of Sealants

First of all, let’s get started with the very basics. A sealant is a protective barrier that will sit over your child’s back teeth (the chewing surfaces only). We adhere the dental sealant by painting a very thin plastic coating into place, then curing it for long-term wear. How long should a sealant last? In general, you can expect around 10 years of wear. The sealants create an obstacle that keeps plaque and food particles from coming into contact with the multiple nooks and crannies of these back teeth, thereby preventing decay.

Why Should Children Receive Sealants?

Your child might be making exceptional progress with a toothbrush and toothpaste but that doesn’t mean the finished result equals immaculately cleaned back teeth. These teeth are hard to reach and happen to be exceptional at trapping the stuff that leads to tooth decay. Placing dental sealants gives your child wonderful protection (which means he or she can brush and enjoy increased success).