What to Know About Dental Sealants

What if there were an easy way to dramatically reduce your child’s risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay? Amazingly, an easy solution called dental sealants already exists. 

After a simple and painless procedure at Yorktown Pediatric Dentistry in Yorktown Heights, New York, your child is less likely to get cavities for years to come. Here’s what pediatric dentists Staci Brunell, DMD, and Priyanka Patel, DMD, want you to know about how dental sealants can help your child.

Dental sealants are a thin, invisible coating

Dental sealants are usually clear in color or have a very tiny tint. They are only applied to the teeth in the middle and back of your child’s mouth.

Once applied to your child’s teeth, the coating immediately and discreetly settles into the grooves of their teeth. The coating is completely invisible, and no one, including your child, will be able to see the sealants.

Dental sealants are applied to premolar and molar teeth

Our team applies dental sealants to teeth with grooves, specifically the premolar and molar teeth. Without sealants, food and bacteria can become trapped in these teeth, making it difficult for children to remove them by brushing their teeth alone.

Front teeth don’t have grooves for food to get stuck, so they do not need sealants. Good toothbrushing and flossing habits alone keep front teeth clean.

Dental sealants lower cavities by 80%

According to the CDC, sealants offer 80% protection against molar cavities for at least 2 years. The molars are the place where most cavities occur because they’re where chewing takes place. 

Getting dental sealants for your child means they’re much less likely to get cavities.

Dental sealants need to be combined with other dental care

Sealants help your child prevent cavities, but they’re not a replacement for other preventive dental care. Your child still needs to brush their teeth twice daily, floss once a day, and attend routine dental cleanings twice a year.

Our team checks your child’s sealants at dental cleanings and ensures they haven’t chipped or cracked.

Getting dental sealants is easy

It’s as easy to get dental sealants as to attend a routine dental cleaning. It’s a pain-free, in-office procedure that doesn’t require anesthesia. 

After cleaning and checking your child’s teeth, our team applies a solution to make the sealant process easier. Once this is washed off, we use the sealant on all premolars and molars.

The sealant usually dries quickly, and your child can return to their typical routine immediately. 

Dental sealants can last for a decade

When properly maintained, sealants have the potential to last for a decade. Your child can prevent many problems by taking good care of their teeth and avoiding extremely hard or chewy foods.

Dental insurance often covers dental sealants

A large number of insurance plans fully cover the cost of sealants for anyone under 18. Even when you pay some or all of the price, it’s less expensive than paying to get cavities filled. Our team can help advise on what your insurance covers and payment options.

As soon as your child has baby premolar or molar teeth, they can be scheduled for a sealant procedure that helps keep them cavity-free for years. Contact us to learn more about dental sealants and schedule an appointment for your child.