Dental Sealants: Should Your Child Get Them from a Dentist?

Dental Sealants: Should Your Child Get Them from a Dentist?

Feb 01, 2022

Dental sealants are a preventive dentistry measure to combat tooth decay. The sealant, which is a liquid plastic, is applied on the surfaces of teeth then hardened with a curing light. These coatings can be used on any tooth in the mouth but mostly on molars and premolars.

The teeth in the back of the mouth contain deep pits, grooves, and fissures which help in chewing food. When cleaning teeth, your child may have difficulties cleaning these areas. Over time, sugars and starch are trapped in these areas combined with oral bacteria. They form acids that destroy the tooth enamel leading to decay.

Dental sealants Garrettsville, OH, are either composite resin or glass ionomers. They protect teeth from decay by forming a protective shield over them. In addition, the plastic coating seals out food particles and bacteria. They thus protect your teeth from harmful acidic attacks.

Dental Sealants for Kids

Children’s teeth are prone to decay since they love consuming sugary foods and drinks. In addition, those below age eight may not clean their teeth using proper techniques. Therefore, dental sealants are applied to kids’ teeth to protect them against cavities. They give a child a chance to grow without cavities and learn proper brushing techniques.

Children start developing their first permanent teeth at about six years of age. At the time, they are unable to maintain proper oral hygiene. Therefore, the dentist near you will apply sealant on the child’s teeth. They will ensure that these new teeth grow and develop without cavities. Each new permanent tooth will require sealant application.

Toddlers who have deep grooves and pits in their primary teeth can have sealants applied to them. The coating keeps bacteria and plaque from hiding in these areas of the teeth. As a result, your baby’s teeth remain protected from cavities and premature tooth loss.

The sealants protect children from the effects of decay. These may include pain and discomfort caused by cavities. They also impact the child’s overall health and performance in school. If the teeth are protected from the effects of decay, your child will not miss school on dental visits. Your child will interact, play and learn without interruptions.

Are Sealants Safe for Kids?

The procedure for applying dental sealants is safe and pain-free. Your child’s teeth receive extra protection in a single appointment lasting less than 40 minutes. If your child has dental phobia, a suitable analgesic can be used during the procedure.

Contrary to most people’s beliefs, dental sealants are safe for your child. Although made of liquid plastic, they contain trace amounts of Bisphenol A (BPA). Studies have not shown adverse reactions to dental sealants. You are exposed to more significant amounts of BPA in your daily activities than from sealants. For example, electronic receipts, cosmetics, foods, drinks, and dust contain more BPA.

Your dentist can reduce the amounts of this compound in the child’s mouth. After the sealant hardens, the specialist can scrub and rinse the kid’s teeth to remove BPA. Moreover, the dentist can use BPA-free dental sealants on children’s teeth.

How Often Should Sealants Be Replaced?

With proper care, the sealants can last for a decade. However, some people’s sealants remain in good condition for a lesser time. Your kid’s sealant may wear fast due to issues such as jaw clenching and teeth grinding. They may also be damaged prematurely due to chewing on hard objects and frequent snacking on sugary treats.

How often dental sealants should be replaced depends on the individual’s habits, care, and maintenance. You may not notice that your child’s sealants are worn or damaged. Dentists check whether sealants need replacement or repair during regular dental exams and cleanings. If they do, the dentist will reapply them over the kid’s teeth to enhance protection from dental plaque.

Replacement of dental sealants in Garrettsville, OH, is a process like that of getting new sealants. The difference is in tooth preparation involving removing the damaged sealant. A new one is then applied to replace the old one.

At Garrettsville Dental Group, we care about your family’s health. Schedule an appointment with us for dental sealants not just for your kids but the entire family. Contact us for cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, emergency dentistry, and general dentistry services.