Get your questions about dental sealants answered by our team of family dentists.
We know just how concerned parents are about keeping their child’s teeth healthy and clean. After all, tooth decay can happen at any age. In fact, about 20 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old, and 13 percent of teens between 12 and 19 years old will have at least one decayed tooth. Cavities are one of the most common problems our Melrose, MA, family dentistry team sees, but we can help reduce the risk by placing dental sealants.
What are dental sealants?
These thin plastic coatings are applied to the chewing surfaces of your child’s molars to keep cavities from forming in the crevices. According to the CDC, sealants have the ability to block up to 80 percent of cavities in the first two years after being placed and protect against 50 percent of cavities for four years.
How are sealants placed?
It is easy and painless to place sealants. Once your child or teen’s teeth have been thoroughly cleaned, we will paint a special gel onto the chewing surfaces of their molars. This etching gel will make it easier for the sealant to stick to the surface of the tooth.
Next, we will brush the sealant over the chewing surfaces of the molars. Once the sealant has been applied, we will use a special light to harden the sealant permanently to the tooth.
How long do sealants last?
How well you care for your child’s smile and maintain good oral hygiene will dictate the longevity of your child’s sealants. The average sealant can last up to 9 years after being placed and still provide protection against cavities. The good news is that if a sealant is cracked or falls out, our Melrose, MA, family dentistry team can easily replace them.
When should my child get sealants?
Your child’s first set of molars will usually come in around 6-7 years old. At this time, you may wish to speak with our family dentists about whether your child could benefit from sealants. Most children are great candidates for this preventive treatment. You may also wish to get sealants placed on your children’s 12-year-old molars once they come in.
Whether you have questions about getting dental sealants from our family dentistry doctors here in Melrose, MA, or you need to schedule your next cleaning, turn to the team at Pan Dental Care for all of your smile needs. Call us today at (781) 665-5190.