The Power of Dental Sealants for Your Child’s Oral Health: Insights from Superteeth Pediatric Dentistry

You may have heard of dental sealants or even received a recommendation from our dentist for your child. Sealants are a powerful way to protect your child’s teeth against decay. As with any dental treatment, understanding the procedure and its impact on your child’s oral health is crucial.

The Benefit of Sealants

Dental sealants are an excellent preventative measure against tooth decay. They are typically applied to the back teeth, where decay is most likely to develop. The back teeth often have deep grooves that can trap food and bacteria. Sealants fill in these grooves, preventing anything from getting trapped and causing decay. Our dentist often recommends sealants for children and teens, but adults can benefit from them as well.

The further back the teeth are in your mouth, the harder it can be to maintain proper hygiene. Sealants can prevent up to 80% of decay within the first two years alone. After four years, sealants continue to prevent as much as 50% of decay. Children without sealants are more than three times as likely to develop tooth decay than those with sealants.

When To Consider Sealants

Your child’s first molars usually become visible around age six, with the second set appearing around age twelve. It’s essential to discuss the best course of action for keeping these molars healthy with us. Sealants are most effective when applied as soon as the molars break through. Regular examinations with our Miami kids dentist will help determine the best time to apply sealants.

The Treatment Process

Applying sealants is one of the simplest treatments we perform at Superteeth Pediatric Dentistry. There is generally no discomfort associated with the process. First, we thoroughly clean your child’s teeth, then apply a special gel. After cleaning off the gel, we apply the sealant. A small blue light hardens the sealant in moments. The sealant is a tooth-colored resin material, similar to a tooth-colored filling.

Are Sealants Safe?

Sealants are safe, with no known side effects and extremely rare allergic reactions. However, if your child has any allergies, please inform us so we can discuss the best course of action. The materials used are safe and biocompatible.

Sealants can last for years before needing reapplication. It’s important to schedule regular visits to our office so our dentist can check the condition of the sealants and teeth. If your child had sealants several years ago and you’re unsure if they should be reapplied, schedule an appointment with us.

At Superteeth Pediatric Dentistry, we are committed to providing the best care for your child’s teeth. For more information on sealants or to schedule an appointment with our Miami kids dentist, contact us today. Let’s work together to keep your child’s smile healthy and bright!