Preserving Your Child’s Smile Through Dental Sealants

Usually around the age of six years old, dental sealants become an option for your child. Your pediatric dentist in Omaha, NE, will begin recommending sealants as soon as your child gets their first molars.

What Are Dental Sealants?

A dental sealant is a thin coating that your dentist applies to the top of the back molars. This coating seals the cracks and crevices in the tooth and helps prevent cavities for up to four years after application.

What Is the Material Used in Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are made from liquid resin, which is a type of plastic. This resin is enamel-colored, so it’s practically invisible, once applied to the tooth.

Will Dental Sealants Make a Big Difference to My Child’s Oral Health?

Yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental sealants can prevent the formation of 80 percent of cavities during the first two years after application. Additionally, school children between the ages of 6 and 11 who had sealants developed three times fewer cavities than those who didn’t.

Do Dental Sealants Last Forever?

No. Dental sealants are helpful in preventing cavities for up to four years. Your child’s dentist may recommend the application of dental sealants around the ages of 6 and 12, after the growth of the first and second set of molars.

Is the Dental Sealant Process Painful?

Not at all. Dental sealants are completely painless. Usually, your child’s dentist lightly etches the tooth surface by using a special solution. They then paint the thin coating onto the tooth using an instrument that looks like a paint brush. Last, they use a special light to dry the sealant, causing it to harden. The whole process can be done in a single visit.

If your child is ready for dental sealants in Omaha, NE, or if you have questions regarding this common procedure, we invite you to call Pedodontics, PC, today.