Dental sealants are protective coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of your child’s newly erupted permanent teeth. Why should you consider asking us about putting sealants on your child’s teeth? Here are 4 important reasons why they’re one of the best things you can do to protect their oral health.
Sealants for teeth prevent cavities from developing in small grooves on the surface of teeth
Yes, you can brush these areas, but did you know that even a single toothbrush bristle couldn’t penetrate a normal groove and clean out acidic bacteria? By sealing it off, your child can clean their teeth efficiently and prevent cavities from targeting impossible-to-reach areas.
They are one of the most effective, preventive dental procedures available for children
In addition to fluoride use, teeth sealants can tremendously reduce your child’s risk of developing cavities in very common areas. Many children develop cavities in these areas, and a sealant can counteract that.
They are inexpensive
Most insurance companies will cover dental sealants until your child has reached the age of 14. However, if for some reason your insurance won’t cover it, the cost is usually less than the cost of a co-pay.
They are non-invasive
Having a tooth sealant placed is a very simple procedure that does not involve any injections or drilling. The tooth is simply conditioned and the sealant material brushed on, then cured with an ultraviolet light. The procedure is so comfortable that your child won’t even realize any difference in having a sealant placed or getting their teeth cleaned.Getting sealants placed at Greentree Dental doesn’t take long at all. In fact, it only takes about 5 minutes per tooth to complete. They can be placed during your child’s routine preventive care appointment, or at a short sealant appointment. Greentree Dental and the ADA recommend placing sealants on your child’s first and second set of molars, which are the permanent molars that erupt around the ages of 6 and 12.
