Dental Sealants: What Are They?

The foundation of a solid oral hygiene routine, both for adults and children is brushing and flossing. But even with great oral care habits, cavities can still happen.

Mostly because, at least when it comes to children, it’s very difficult to clean every single spot on a tooth, whether you’re doing it yourself, or the child is old enough to care for their own teeth.

However, parents will be happy to know there is another layer of protection they can add to their children’s teeth. It’s called a dental sealant.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about them!

Dental Sealants Explained

Dental sealants are a thin protective coating added to the chewing surface of the child’s back teeth. Sealants are usually added to protect a child’s tooth from cavities, and they’ve been found to reduce the risk of decay by as much as 80%. 

It’s important to note, however, that dental sealants are not designed to replace tooth brushing and flossing. But, if the dentist notices the early signs of decay, they can add a dental sealant on top of the tooth to prevent the cavity from growing.

How Do I Know If My Child Needs Dental Sealants? 

The only way to know for sure if the child needs dental sealants is to see Dr. Julie Hantson or Dr. Amanda Alon for a consultation. They will assess the child’s oral health, and if they notice signs of early tooth decay, they can recommend dental sealants in order to protect the tooth.

Usually, sealants are recommended in situations such as:

• The molars have narrow grooves and fissures, which increase the risk of cavities
• Early signs of decay are noticed
• The child is at high risk for developing cavities in the future (genetic predisposition)
• The child has difficulties brushing their teeth properly, such as children with disabilities

How the Procedure Works

If your child needs dental sealants, you’ll be happy to know the procedure is quick and pain-free.

The dentist will first clean and dry the tooth and apply a special gel designed to roughen the surface of the tooth. This helps create the perfect type of surface for the sealant to properly bond with the tooth.

Then, the sealant is carefully applied on the surface of the tooth with a small brush and is hardened with a special blue light. 

Then, you and your child are free to continue the rest of your day!

Book a Consultation at Marshfield Pediatric Dentistry

Do you suspect your child is developing a cavity and may need a dental sealant? Dr. Julie Hantson and Dr. Amanda Alon at Marshfield Pediatric Dentistry would be happy to see them for a quick and painless consultation.

Book an appointment at Marshfield Pediatric Dentistry online, or call our office at (781) 205-1124 to find out more about our services and how we can help.

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