How Do Dental Sealants Protect Your Child’s Teeth from Cavities?

Protecting Little Smiles with Dental Sealants

At Dental Care of Madison, we are proponents of preventive care to lay the foundation for healthy smiles that last a lifetime. Placing dental sealants is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to lower the risk of childhood cavities. These thin coatings are placed on the chewing surfaces of your little one’s back teeth, creating a protective barrier against food debris and cavity-causing bacteria. Visit our practice in Madison to safeguard your child’s smile right from the start.

What Are Dental Sealants?

The permanent back teeth, known as the premolars and molars, are the most prone to developing tooth decay. That’s because they have rough surfaces with deep pits and crevices that trap food particles and bacteria. Being at the back of the mouth, these hard-to-reach teeth are harder to brush and floss effectively, often leading to plaque and tartar buildup and increasing the risk of cavities.

Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings that we paint onto these chewing surfaces to smooth out the rough and even areas, essentially sealing out plaque, bacteria, and food debris. Placing sealants has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cavities, promoting long-term healthy and beautiful smiles.

How Effective Are Dental Sealants at Preventing Cavities?

Here is a look at how teeth sealants help safeguard your child’s smile:

• -They keep food and debris from settling into the pits and fissures of the teeth.
• -They help prevent plaque buildup in those hard-to-clean surfaces of the back teeth.
• -They protect the teeth from acid attacks, reducing the risk of cavities.
• -They smooth the tooth surfaces, making them easier to clean, especially for children still developing their brushing skills.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), placing dental sealants can help reduce the risk of cavities in a child’s permanent molars by up to 80% for the first two years of application. Their effectiveness extends beyond these first two years, protecting your child’s smile for several years to come.

When Is the Best Time to Have Dental Sealants Placed?

We typically recommend placing dental sealants soon after the first and second sets of molars come in, around ages 6 and 12. The earlier sealants are applied, the better the chances your child has for maintaining a cavity-free smile. If, however, your child has missed these milestones and has not had sealants placed, it’s never too late. As long as your child’s teeth are free from decay, placing sealants can provide added protection.

Aside from growing smiles, sealants can be beneficial for teens and adults at a higher risk of developing tooth decay and cavities. Talk to our team at Dental Care of Madison to determine whether sealants are right for you or your child.

What Is the Dental Sealants Placement Process?

Applying dental sealants is a quick and pain-free process. We start by cleaning your little one's teeth and drying them carefully. Next, we use a mild acidic solution to prepare the tooth surfaces and ensure the sealant material bonds. We will rinse the teeth and dry them once again before painting on the sealant material, allowing it to flow into every groove and crevice of your child's teeth.

After applying the sealant, we will use a special curing light to harden it and form a durable, protective barrier. The last step is making any needed adjustments to ensure a comfortable bite. The entire process can take less than a couple of minutes per tooth. Your child can eat and drink as usual after sealant application, with no downtime.

How Long Do Sealants Last?

Dental sealants are durable with the potential to last for up to 10 years, or even longer, with proper care. Our team at Dental Care of Madison will monitor your child’s sealants for any signs of chipping or wear and reapply them as needed to safeguard your child’s smile.

Are Dental Sealants Safe?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) both agree that dental sealants are safe for children and adults. At Dental Care of Madison, we use only the highest quality BPA-free materials to ensure your child’s safety and provide the maximum protection for their growing smiles.

Dental Sealants vs. Fillings: What’s the Difference?

Dental sealants are an effective preventive measure, not a treatment for existing decay. Once a cavity is formed, a dental filling or other restorative procedure is necessary to repair the damage. Without treatment, a cavity can progress and cause complications, including severe pain, infection, and even tooth loss. That’s why we emphasize the importance of early and consistent preventive care, including sealants. By sealing your child’s teeth, you can help avoid the need for extensive, costly treatments down the road.

How Should You Care for Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are no substitute for proper at-home oral hygiene practices. Make sure your child brushes at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flosses every day to clean those hard-to-reach places between the teeth. Limit sugary snacks and beverages and encourage drinking plenty of water throughout the day. We also recommend steering clear from hard candies that can chip your child’s sealants, as well as chewy or sticky foods that can cause the sealants to fail, leaving your child’s smile at risk.

It’s also important to keep up with your little one’s twice-yearly dental checkups and cleanings. Our kid-friendly team will monitor your child’s oral health and development to ensure everything stays on track. Our goal is to lay the foundation for healthy smiles that last a lifetime.

Dental Sealants Near Me in Madison, MS

At Dental Care of Madison, we are passionate about helping children in Madison, MS, and the surrounding communities maintain healthy, cavity-free smiles. Our compassionate team will ensure your little one feels comfortable and stress-free during every visit. If you would like to learn more about dental sealants and preventive care, we are here to help. Call us at (601) 898-9390 to schedule your child’s appointment, or request one online today!