Pediatric Dental Sealants In North Dartmouth
Cavities are no fun! When your little one has one, it can harm their oral health and leave them with a toothache. Prevention is key to preserving a healthy smile. That’s why we recommend dental sealants to protect your child’s teeth from cavities.
Why should my child get a dental sealant?
Dental sealants are the easiest way to protect your child’s teeth from cavities. They are applied to teeth with deep crevices to protect against bacteria. Without the protection, bacteria go to hard-to-reach crevices and heighten your little one’s risk for cavities. Bacteria thrive in deep grooves because it’s harder to clean these areas properly. Paired with good oral health habits and routine trips to the dentist, dental sealants shield against pesky bacteria and keep your little one’s teeth strong and healthy!
The Benefits of Dental Sealants
Prevents Cavities
Cavities mainly form in the crevices of premolars and molars. Since these areas are hard to reach with a toothbrush, bacteria and plaque thrive there. Dental sealants add an extra layer of protection to these vulnerable spots. This significantly reduces the risk of cavities and strengthens your child’s teeth.
Keeps Treatments Simple
Protect your child’s teeth from cavities and the dental drill. With dental sealants, your child can avoid more complicated dental procedures that arise from cavities. Dental fillings are no fun, and not treating a cavity can put them at risk for tooth loss. Dental sealants help your child avoid this by preventing the problem, rather than fixing it.
Affordable Treatment
Dental sealants are affordable and typically covered by insurance. Untreated cavities can cause more costly procedures. In fact, dental sealants are about a third of the price of dental fillings. They are also long-lasting and only need to be reapplied every couple of years at your dentist’s discretion.
The Dental Sealant Treatment Process
Cleaning & Exam
Applying a dental sealant is a simple process. First, your child’s pediatric dentist will do a thorough cleaning and exam to ensure everything is on track. During this visit, we’ll also answer any questions you may have and assess if your child is more prone to cavities. We will clear away any plaque or debris to lay a clean foundation for the sealant.
Tooth Preparation
After drying the teeth, we will apply a solution to the chewing surfaces of their teeth, which helps bond the sealants to the teeth. The teeth will then be rinsed and dried to prepare for the sealants.
Sealant Placement
Once your child’s tooth has been prepared, the sealant will be painted on the tooth enamel. We will use a UV light to harden and bond the sealant to the surface, protecting and strengthening the tooth. This quick, safe, and painless process will have your child going home with a strong, healthy smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Your child may report feelings of sensitivity or discomfort when chewing, eating hot or cold foods, or eating very sugary foods. This is a common sign of a cavity. More advanced decay may result in intermittent toothaches and pain.
You may also be able to recognize visual indicators of tooth decay. If you look inside your child’s mouth and see a dark brown or black stain on their tooth, or you think that you can see visible pits or holes in your child’s tooth, it may be a cavity or tooth decay. If you suspect that your child has a cavity, contact our office right away to schedule an oral exam.
No. Dental sealants do not hurt at all. In fact, they actually prevent tooth pain or sensitivity caused by a cavity, so your child can smile brightly and eat their favorite foods without any more discomfort. The process of getting a sealant is quick and painless, only taking a few minutes for each tooth to be sealed and bonded to the tooth enamel.
Sealants typically last up to 5 years before needing to be replaced. They slowly wear down over time and aren’t noticeable once placed. It’s rare for them to fall off – so if they do, give us a call and we can come up with a solution during their next dental appointment. Luckily, missing dental sealants are not only affordable but easy to replace.