The Importance of Dental Sealants for Children and Adults

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If you want to keep your child’s molars free from cavities and decay, it’s time to consider dental sealants. Cavity prevention is such an important part of dental health care. Brushing, flossing, and limiting sugary snacks can all help protect against cavities. But many people have such deep grooves in their molars that it’s hard to protect those teeth from cavities with good dental hygiene alone.

Dental sealants can keep oral bacteria out of those deep grooves, greatly reducing the risk of cavities in the molars. And here’s the best part: they’re not just for kids. Adults can get sealants for cavity prevention, too.

What Are Sealants?

Dental sealants are basically little, plastic covers your dentist places in the chewing surface of the molars. Sealants are small and thin; they just fill in the deep grooves. They start off as a liquid material. Your dentist “paints” the material onto the tooth, and it quickly hardens into a clear barrier.

Why Are Sealants So Important?

Even if your child is an excellent tooth brusher, they probably miss a few spots. Since the molars are hard to reach, there’s a good chance your child is not brushing them as thoroughly as they should. This is not your child’s fault. It takes everyone a little while to learn how to brush their teeth well. The problem is that any plaque left behind in those deep molar grooves harbors lots of oral bacteria. Over time, those bacteria secrete acids that erode the enamel and cause cavities.

Sealants give your child’s molars some extra protection against cavities while they’re still learning how to brush. Think of them as a little insurance policy.

If you’re an adult with deep molar grooves, you may also struggle to brush effectively. Sealants can provide some extra insurance for you, too. After all, cavities in the molar grooves can progress pretty quickly, so you’re best off preventing them in the first place.

When Should Your Child Get Sealants?

The American Dental Association recommends that kids receive sealants as soon as their 6-year molars erupt. The sooner sealants are applied to these teeth, the lower the risk of cavities. When your child’s 12-year molars erupt, they should go back to the dentist to get sealants put in those teeth.

If your child is over the age of 6 or 12 and does not yet have sealants, typically the best time to get them is now. Your child’s dentist will make sure their molars are cavity-free, and if so, they’ll apply the sealants.

As an adult, you can have dental sealants applied whenever you’re ready. The sooner the better. Most adults schedule appointments for sealants after they develop a cavity in one molar and want to better protect the others. But it’s even better to have sealants applied before you develop cavities in any molars.

How Does Your Dentist Apply Sealants?

Having sealants applied is a really simple process from the perspective of the patient. After examining your teeth, your dentist in Maple Ridge (or hygienist) will thoroughly clean and dry your molars. They then apply a special etching gel to the tooth to make its surface a bit rougher and more clingy. Next, they’ll rinse this etching liquid away. Then, they’ll apply a liquid, plastic-like substance to the grooves of the tooth. They may use a special light to cure and harden the sealant resin. The whole process should only take a few minutes per tooth.

Having sealants applied is entirely painless. Some patients notice an unpleasant taste in their mouth while having sealants applied, but this will go away as soon as you rinse.

How Long Do Sealants Last?

Sealants can last up to 10 years. How long they last will depend on your child’s own oral chemistry, how aggressively they brush, and how well they chew. If a sealant falls out, your dentist can easily replace it. Your dentist will check the condition of the sealants at regular visits and let you know if any need to be replaced.

If you have a child who is approaching their 6th birthday, it could be a good time to talk to your dentist about sealants. You may want to schedule a sealant appointment for yourself, too. Even if you’re good about brushing, it doesn’t hurt to give your molars a little extra cavity prevention. Contact Coast Dental Centre in Maple Ridge, BC to schedule an appointment. We make oral health a top priority, and sealants are an important part of that.