Pediatric Dental Care: How Dental Sealants Protect Against Childhood Cavities

Dental sealants can improve your child’s pediatric dental health. Baby teeth may be temporary, but they are important. Primary teeth act as guides for the emergence of adult teeth. If you want to know how pediatric dental sealants can protect your child’s teeth against cavities, here are the details.

How pediatric dental sealants do the work

Pediatric dentists paint a liquid sealant on the child’s teeth. This liquid hardens after a few minutes. It then resembles a plastic coating. The sealant acts like a barrier that shields the child’s teeth. It seals the grooves, crevices, and flat surfaces of the teeth. Molars are the teeth that need these dental sealants most.

Dental sealants protect the child’s teeth from decay and cavities. Studies show that pediatric dental sealants reduce cavities by 80% two years after application. The protective layer protects the child’s teeth from 50% of cavities for about four years after application. Pediatric dentists recommend the application of pediatric dental sealants when the first molars erupt. This often starts at six years of age. The child will need another sealant treatment by age 12 when the second molars emerge.

The effectiveness

Pediatric dentists find dental sealants effective in protecting baby and adult teeth. Tooth decay is a common problem in children ages six to 11 and also teenagers ages 12-19. Pediatric dental sealants are important in preventive pediatric dental care. Dentists often combine these sealants with professional dental cleanings, dental checkups, and fluoride treatments. Home oral care practices of parents and children also help pediatric dental sealants become more effective.

Preventive pediatric dental sealants are better than having cavity treatments. Dental restorations, such as dental fillings, are more expensive. These treatments also take longer and are often more invasive. Teeth without cavities are healthier and stronger.

The benefits

Pediatric dental sealants do not take much time to have. Once the pediatric dentist gets the tooth ready, the tooth gets an application of the liquid sealant. It then dries in minutes. Getting dental sealants is also non-invasive. It does not involve drills or injections.

Dental sealants also help children retain tooth material. A solid tooth is a strong tooth. Cavities erode natural tooth material. This weakens the tooth, leading to bigger dental concerns.

The right time

Pediatric dentists recommend that children should get pediatric dental sealants by six or seven years old. Another application of dental sealants should happen again by 12 or 13 years old. These are the ages when kids are vulnerable to cavities. Pediatric dental sealants protect children who love to eat sweets. These are also for those who have difficulty flossing and brushing. The sealants can prevent bacteria from taking advantage of inadequate dental cleaning.