Cavity Prevention for Kids
Protective dental sealants are serious oral health superstars. Dr. Roya simply paints a thin, BPA-free coating onto the chewing surfaces of your child’s back teeth – typically the permanent molars and, sometimes, the premolars. The material forms a protective barrier that keeps bacteria, acids, food and plaque out of the pits and grooves of these teeth, preventing cavities. Though the treatment is painless, affordable and quick, it’s incredibly effective. We recommend sealing your little one’s first grown-up molars as soon they make their appearance to keep tooth decay away from the start. To learn more about your options for dental sealants in Washington, DC, schedule an appointment online or by calling us at (202) 237-2833.
Benefits of Dental Sealants
Protective dental sealants keep plaque, food and germs from settling into the grooves of the back teeth, dramatically reducing your child’s risk of tooth decay.
Applying dental sealants is painless, doesn’t involve needles, is well tolerated by kids of all ages and only takes a few minutes.
By preventing tooth decay, dental sealants ward off the need for more extensive restorative treatments, saving you money and time.
All About Protective Dental Sealants
The chewing surfaces of the molars have crevices and grooves that can easily trap food, bacteria and plaque, making them particularly susceptible to tooth decay. Thankfully, dental sealants are here to save the day by creating a protective layer that keeps sugar bugs out of the grooves. According to the American Dental Association, sealants on the permanent molars reduce the risk of cavities in kids by up to 80%!
At Smile Valley Pediatric Dentistry, the process of applying dental sealants takes about 15 minutes and doesn’t hurt at all. Dr. Roya Pilcher will:
- Clean your child’s teeth to make sure no yucky stuff is hiding out.
- Dry the teeth and then apply an etching solution to help the sealants adhere to those pearly whites.
- Rinse the solution off and dry the teeth again,
- Paint a thin layer of the sealant directly onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, covering the enamel.
- Use a special light to harden, or cure, the sealants.
Once the sealants are hardened, that’s it, your kiddo’s teeth will be protected for years to come!
Protective dental sealants can last for up to 10 years without needing to be reapplied.
School-aged children without dental sealants have nearly three times as many cavities as those with sealants.
It’s recommended dental sealants be applied to the first and second permanent molars, which usually come in at around ages 6 and 12, respectively.
Happy Patients, Healthy Smiles
At our fun, bright pediatric dental office in Washington, DC, we treat all of our patients like VIPs. Let’s work together to give your child the healthy, beautiful smile they deserve. Schedule a visit at Smile Valley Pediatric Dentistry today!
