Why Are Dental Sealants Important?

Placement of dental sealants is covered by most dental insurance companies and are very effective in preventing cavities in children.

The molars are large teeth found at the back of the month. They are naturally deeply grooved, and some children’s molar may have a deeper groove in them. Because the grooves are deep, food particles and bacteria tend to get trapped inside. The trapped particles are notoriously hard to remove with regular brushing and normal dental care practices.

However, when dental sealants are placed, they cover these depressions and prevent food particles from getting trapped inside. Also, sealant makes cleaning the teeth a breeze, and your child’s teeth won’t develop cavities.

Aside from protecting healthy teeth, recent research has shown that dental sealant also halts the onset of tooth decay in the early ages thereby preventing cavities from forming in the future.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin, plastic coating used by your dentist to fill in the natural grooved chewing surface on your molar. The procedure is totally pain-free and doesn’t require any shots or drilling. It normally takes just a few minutes to place a sealant on a tooth. The tooth is prepared by cleaning, drying and placing cotton around it to prevent moisture. A gel is applied to the tooth surface to give a rough texture and help the sealant stick better. The tooth is then rinsed and dried again. The sealant is then applied to the molar and will harden in a few seconds. A special light might be required to hasten the drying. You can get back to munching your favorite snacks once the tooth is dry!

Even though dental sealants can last up to five years or more, it is necessary to still carry on with your routine dental care and checkups. You need to have the sealant checked out every now and then to ensure they are not chipped, worn or discolored. Sealants offer additional protection for your child’s teeth and are not a substitute for proper teeth care. toothpaste and flossing are recommended even with dental sealants. Sealants are only an additional preventive measure used to help protect your kid’s teeth.