3 Questions About Dental Sealants to Ask Your Child’s Dentist

Are you unsure if you should allow your child to receive dental sealants? You’re not alone. Many parents are unfamiliar with this term and have many questions when it comes to additional preventive services offered by their pediatric dentist. Fluoride is a much more common and familiar treatment, but dental sealants are often minimally discussed. Before agreeing to move forward, here are three questions you can feel free to ask your child’s pediatric dentist about better protecting their back teeth.

At What Age Are Dental Sealants Necessary?

It is common for both children and adults to be recommended for dental sealants; however, they are predominantly more beneficial in younger patients. It is better to wait until permanent teeth have fully erupted. Typically, by the time a child reaches the age of six, the first molars are pushing through, but it isn’t until they are around 12 years old that they receive their second set. With each pair, it’s essential to have dental sealants placed because of the added protection provided.

These teeth are often hard to reach for many young patients, which is why the plastic coating that is painted over the chewing surfaces can be highly effective in creating a barrier against bad bacteria and food particles. The sooner you have them placed, the greater your child’s chances of maintaining a healthier, cavity-free smile.

Can Dental Sealants Be Placed Over Cavities?

It is possible to have dental sealants placed over a cavity to keep decay from further damaging the tooth; however, it depends on the severity of dental caries. If necessary, your child’s pediatric dentist may go ahead and recommend a filling to treat the area. But if not, they will continue to monitor the decay as well as the sealant with each visit to ensure the latter is protecting the tooth and keeping the cavity from spreading further into the deeper layers of the tooth.

How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?

When teeth and gums are properly cared for in between appointments, there is a possibility that dental sealants can last up to 10 years. At some point, they will need to be reapplied, but as long as you’re overseeing your child’s brushing and flossing habits, you can rest easy knowing these preventive coatings will keep their back teeth safer year and year.

And should one of the sealants come off at any point, your child’s dentist can easily apply a new one during a regular appointment.

Dental sealants are a great way to not only protect your child’s smile but also save you money in the long run. By opting for this preventive service, you can minimize the possibility of your child requiring restorative care later on.

About the Author
Dr. Melissa Rozas is a pediatric dentist in Coppell who completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston. After finishing her pediatric dental residency at UT/Herman Hospital, she became board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She and her team are pleased to provide dental sealants in an effort to better protect back teeth and prevent cavities. If you’re interested in learning more about this preventive service, contact us at (972) 433-7516.