Dental experts at Dr. Dina Pediatric Dentistry Clinic talk about the importance and advantages of dental sealants for toddlers and kids
21 May 2019
| Last updated on 26 May 2019
A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating placed on the chewing surfaces of the permanent back teeth (molars and premolars) to help protect them from bacteria and acids that contribute to tooth decay and cavities.
Despite the fact that brushing and flossing can remove food and plaque from teeth surfaces, however they do not allow access to all the very small areas of the back teeth to clean them totally.
The sealant quickly bonds into the grooved areas of the teeth protecting these vulnerable areas, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth in order to prevent tooth decay.
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Sealants for Children and Teenagers
Children and teenagers should get sealants applied on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. This way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14.
The Process of Applying a Sealant
The application of sealant is a painless process that requires only a few minutes from your dentist or hygienist to do it. Prior to the sealant application, teeth should be properly cleaned and examined.
The tooth is dried, an absorbent material (for example cotton) is placed onto the tooth, then rinsed and dried off. Next, the sealant material is placed on the biting surface of the tooth and a special light is placed above the tooth to harden the sealant into the tooth surface.
Sealants as a protection method for teeth
Sealants protect the teeth from decay for up to 10 years, however they need to be checked at regular dental check-ups.
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