Any parent wants the top dental care for their children. To achieve this, schedule regular dentist visits and encourage your kids to brush and floss regularly. Also, here’s why you should consider dental sealants for your kid.

FAQ About Dental Sealants

What are they?

Sealants are made of plastic. A dentist drops a thin coating onto the chewing and biting surfaces of the teeth, filling the natural fissures where cavities easily start. They apply sealant to the permanent molars, which lasts around five years. Optimally, children should get this treatment between ages 5 and 7 to protect their permanent teeth before decay can set in.

How are they applied?

The dentist cleans and dries each tooth where they’ll apply sealant. Then, they place a gel on the surface of the tooth, which prepares the surface to effectively bond with the sealant. They remove the gel, apply the sealant, and harden it with a blue UV light. This painless procedure can typically be done in one visit.

Are they effective?

A 2016 report performed by the Centers for Disease Control shows that sealants can reduce tooth decay by a significant amount—up to 80% in the permanent molars. The report indicates that children without sealants have three times as many cavities as those that do. Since parents can’t control everything their child eats, sealants are smart options that help minimize the negative effects of sugar on the teeth.

Who can get dental sealants?

Children who have their permanent 6-year molars without decay are the top candidates. Sealants can be applied again to the 12-year molars. Protecting the teeth as soon as they fully erupt is the smartest approach, although even adults can benefit from the treatment. There is some debate about whether teeth with existing cavities or early signs of decay should be sealed. Talk to your dentist about whether your child is a candidate.

Dental sealants can protect your child’s teeth from decay, and insurance usually covers their application. The dentists at Timber Drive Dental offers family dentistry to the Rhinelander and Northwoods, WI, communities. Services include sealants and preventative care for children and adults, as well as restorative and cosmetic dentistry. They focus on patient comfort, education, and choice with every procedure. Call (715) 365-1800 to discuss sealants for your child, or visit their website to see a full range of services.