Dental Sealants – Chesterfield
Protect Your Child’s Growing Smile
As your child is getting older, their baby teeth are coming out and their grown-up teeth are growing in. Molars and premolars are particularly prone to developing cavities at this point in childhood because your child is still perfecting their technique when caring for their smile. Permanent teeth have deeper grooves than primary teeth do, so they require additional care. At Yenzer Family Dental of Chesterfield, we offer dental sealants to help protect children’s teeth. Read on to learn more about dental sealants, the process, and how they work.
What Are Dental Sealants?
A dental sealant is a clear, biocompatible material that is painted onto the teeth. It creates a strong, protective barrier between the surface of the tooth and harmful plaque and bacteria that can result in cavities. It is recommended by the American Dental Association that children get dental sealants between the ages of 5 and 7 and again between the ages of 11 and 14 as their molars are coming in.
The Process of Getting a Dental Sealant
Getting a dental sealant takes a few minutes and is completed during your child’s checkup and cleaning. Once their teeth have been thoroughly cleaned and dried, the sealant is painted on the back molars. Next, a special light is used to harden it in place. Lastly, we will check to make sure that your child’s bite is still comfortable and make adjustments if needed. Dental sealants can last up to 9 years!
Who Can Benefit from Dental Implants?
Anyone who is prone to tooth decay on their back teeth could benefit from sealants. Children and teenagers between the ages 6 and 14 are usually good candidates for this treatment because they are still perfecting the ritual of thoroughly brushing and flossing their smile, and their new molars have much deeper grooves than their primary teeth did, putting them at higher risk of tooth decay. Sealants offer an extra layer of protection as your child is adjusting to their new, grown-up smile!