The best thing your child can do to prevent cavities is to brush and floss daily. However, dental caries, or cavities, are still a common pediatric dental problem. Children are still developing motor skills and may need to clean their teeth better. Also, children tend to consume a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, and parents must take those extra steps to help prevent cavities. Children’s Dental Specialties provides dental sealants to prevent dental caries in Worcester, MA, as a pediatric dental service.
Sealants give your child’s oral health an extra boost. We can provide this quick, preventive treatment after your child’s routine dental cleaning.
What are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are clear or shaded plastic protective coatings placed on back teeth to prevent cavities. These thin plastic coatings will cover the chewing surface of molars and premolars.
Molars teeth tend to have natural groves and pits where most cavities begin in children. Even with regular brushing and flossing, these molars are hard to reach. We only recommend sealants for the molars because the front teeth do not have deep grooves that can trap leftover food and bacteria.
Dental sealants were developed as an extra barrier to protect children’s teeth. The sealants will keep food and debris from getting stuck in the deep groves and pits. By having us apply this shield to your child’s teeth, you can prevent many cavities from possibly forming.
Children who receive dental sealants in our Worcester office have the added benefit of preventative pediatric dental care. Sealants can reduce the chance of patients developing cavities that create permanent holes in the teeth. Dental sealants also prevent needing a pediatric root canal or dental fillings. Sealants are an essential preventive treatment that can reduce the change of needing restorative care later in life.
The Optimal Age for Applying Dental Sealants
Our dentist recommends dental sealants when the permanent molars and premolars erupt, typically between the ages of 6 and 12. The first set of premolars erupts around age 6, while the second set emerges by age 12.
If we seal these teeth promptly, they will have additional protection during the most formative years when your child is most likely to develop cavities. Also, if we discover your child is at a high risk of cavities, we may recommend applying sealants to their baby teeth.
Benefits of Dental Sealants
Dental sealants offer many benefits. Sealants offer:
- Long-Lasting Results: Sealants can last five to ten years. While damage from hard foods or poor brushing and flossing can wear down the sealants, we can provide retreatment over time.
- Quick and Easy Treatment: Getting sealants takes just one in-office visit. Sealants are also non-invasive. Other than cleaning the tooth surface, we don’t need to prepare teeth for sealants.
- Affordable Treatment: Sealants are cost-effective and can prevent the need for future costly dental treatments. They cost less than fillings, crowns, and root canal treatment.
- Improved Oral Health: With preventive sealants, your child can spend less time in the dental chair in the future. Sealants help keep the molars healthy. They also prevent bacteria from affecting the teeth and gums in the back of the mouth.
Dental Sealant Treatment in Worcester, MA
Sealants provide quick and painless treatment that we can provide in just one office visit. To begin treatment, we ensure that the teeth are clean. Typically, we provide dental sealants following a routine dental cleaning. Then, once your child’s teeth are clean, we prepare the surface of the teeth with an acidic compound.
This preparation ensures that the sealants adhere to the teeth. Once the compound dries, we apply the dental sealant to the chewing surfaces with a small brush, ensuring we cover each groove. Finally, we harden the sealant with a curing light.
Dental sealants create a protective barrier against food particles and harmful bacteria that can break down tooth enamel. Harmful bacteria feed on sugars and starches left in the mouth. Plaque and tartar can build on the back teeth, as they can be more difficult to clean than other teeth.
Cavities are prevalent among children, especially if they do not properly care for their smiles. Children also often consume more sugary foods and beverages that can attract harmful bacteria. Addressing signs of tooth decay in children as they grow is especially key, as it can impact the health of their permanent teeth.
How to Ensure Dental Sealants Last
After sealant treatment, follow these instructions to prevent cavities and make treatment worth it:
- Brush and floss twice a day
- Do not chew on ice, hard foods, or sticky foods
- Limit sugary foods and drinks
- Continue to visit for regular cleanings and X-rays
We will examine your molars at regular visits. Our office will ensure you get touch-up treatment if you need sealants after many years. We will only apply new sealants once your old sealants are completely worn.
Dental Sealants FAQs
Learn more about dental sealants in Worcester, MA, with answers to these common patient questions:
How long do dental sealants last?
The longevity of the dental sealants will vary for each patient. They typically last between 5 and 10 years. At each regular dental check-up, our dentist will check on them to make sure they are not worn down or dislodged. Our dentist can reapply them if necessary. To ensure the longevity of your sealants, help your child maintain proper oral hygiene.
Are dental sealants safe for children?
Dental sealants have been thoroughly studied and are considered safe. The materials they are made of have been rigorously tested and meet all safety standards. We highly recommend this treatment for children to help protect their teeth from decay.
Do dental sealants hurt?
Sealants are painless and non-invasive. We do not need anesthetic or sedation for this treatment. Our office will simply place sealants on the teeth after a cleaning.
You will not feel any pain after we place the sealants. The sealants will feel like a smooth coating over the teeth. Over time, it will become unnoticeable.
Schedule Your Child for Dental Sealants in Worcester, MA
Is it time for your child’s next dental cleaning and sealant treatment? Call Children’s Dental Specialties today at (508) 625-5534. You may also schedule a dental appointment online.
Let us know if you have any questions about your child’s sealants or other routine care. We will work with you to ensure your child gets the correct treatment for their needs and age group.