Does your child suffer from “cavity prone” teeth that never seem to stay healthy no matter how well they brush and floss? What if there was a way to offer them a boost of additional protection against decay for up to a decade? With dental sealants, you can do just that. Here’s a closer look at this safe, effective, discreet treatment, and how it can benefit your child’s smile for years to come!
What are Dental Sealants?
Think of dental sealants as protective shields for your child’s teeth. Typically made of either glass ionomer materials or plastic resins, they are painted onto the biting surfaces to help protect the enamel from cavities and decay. Although they are frequently used for children who may still be learning proper oral hygiene techniques, they can also help protect older kids’ teeth too, especially if the patient had cavity-prone teeth or dexterity issues that may make it difficult to keep their pearly whites clean and healthy.
How Do Dentists Apply Dental Sealants?
Following your child’s dental checkup and cleaning, their dentist will apply an acidic gel coat to any teeth needing a sealant to roughen the texture, so the barrier stays in place. Then, she will apply a thin layer of varnish to the crevices of the tooth with a small paintbrush. Next, she will harden the substance with a painless, silent UV light, and in a few short seconds your child’s teeth will have the benefit of added protection against cavities and decay for up to ten years.
Does it Hurt to Get Dental Sealants?
The great news about dental sealants is not only will they help prevent painful toothaches and damage, but getting them is completely painless, too! Although they do contain a nominal amount of BPA, the FDA has determined the levels present in dental sealants are harmless and should not carry any risk of illness or long-term effects. However, if your child is allergic to BPA, they should not get dental sealants.
Are Dental Sealants Noticeable?
Dental sealants are available in natural looking colors like white or clear, or they can be color-matched to your child’s teeth. This makes it very hard to detect them when they open their mouth to eat, speak, or smile. In fact, your child may not even be able to locate them when brushing and flossing! Best of all, because they’re protecting the underlying tooth, they can help reduce the risk of damage and decay that may result in a more obvious restoration later!
Can You Put a Dental Sealant Over a Cavity?
Dental sealants are designed to protect the teeth against cavities and decay and can even be used on teeth with early signs of this type of damage. Thankfully, their natural looking color also makes it easy for your child’s pediatric dentist to see how the tooth is faring underneath, so she can keep a closer eye on whether the decay has worsened with time.
Remember, while dental sealants can’t heal your child’s teeth or restore large cavities or areas of decay that are too advanced, they can help shield their smile against emerging damage and even protect harder-to-clean areas that may be more likely to become injured with time. To learn more about how this treatment can benefit your kiddo’s growing grin, speak to your dentist about dental sealants today!
About Dr. Lily
Dr. Lily earned her undergraduate degree at Tulane University, her master’s in biomedical sciences at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and her dental doctorate at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. She then went on to earn her Advanced Education in General Dentistry certification at the Lutheran Medical Center and her pediatric dentistry certification at the University of Nevada. Today, she is a proud, active member of numerous prestigious organizations including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, just to name a few. To schedule a checkup for your child at Shiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, visit our website or call us today at 469-925-0861.