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Sealants

Dental sealants are a pediatric service that a lot of parents find useful for their pediatric dental care requirements. So what exactly do dental sealants do?

A dental sealant is a thin, plastic material that can be painted on the surface of a child’s teeth so that cavities do not form. The sealant is placed on the surface of the teeth that is used for chewing, and can be a big help to deter cavities and some other unwanted oral issues.

However, unfortunately, the danger when a child is using a dental sealant is that the child or parent might neglect flossing or regular brushing of the teeth. It is important that parents are on top of the child’s hygiene habits because a dental sealant is not a substitute for brushing, flossing, and other necessary oral hygiene practices.

If for any reason you are looking for a pediatric dentist, maybe because you’ve recently moved into a new area or maybe because you’ve recently had a new addition to the family and now you’re looking for a good pediatric dentist, you may have exhausted internet searches such as the best pediatric dentist near me or pediatric dentist office near me and the like.

It is important to continue to search until you find a pediatric dentist that you’re comfortable with because parents who take their children to the dentist early on are potentially saving the children from a world of hurt and oral discomfort later on in life. If your pediatric dentist determines that your child requires a dental sealant, it is important that you follow their advice which will no doubt include ensuring that your child maintains top-notch oral hygiene.

So how exactly do dental sealants protect the teeth? When a dentist uses a dental sealant, he or she sets them over any grooves or pitted areas that may be found in the teeth. These grooves or pitted areas can be quite narrow and difficult for a child’s toothbrush to get into during regular dental hygiene routines like brushing, so these dental sealants provide a protective layer over these hard to reach places and keep food out of these grooves.

If your child has already developed a dental cavity, a dental sealant can still be helpful. The American Dental Association (ADA) states that when dental sealants are placed over cavities in the early stages, they can also help to stop the tooth decay process.

So you may be wondering how long the protective effects of these dental sealants last, and at what age does it become appropriate for a child to have a dental sealant. The answers are relatively simple – dental sealants can help protect your child’s teeth for up to 10 years under the watchful eye of a dentist. However, your pediatric dentist might recommend that the dental sealants in your child’s mouth be replaced before the 10 year mark if necessary.

Also, in general the American Dental Association recommends that a child can have dental sealants anywhere between age 6 and 14; after the eruption of the first molars at age 6 and the 2nd at age 12. In some cases a dentist may recommend having these sealants earlier if necessary.