Dental Sealants – Rowlett, TX
Protecting Small Smiles From Cavities
Even if your child is a natural at brushing and flossing right away, it can still be tricky to keep the tiny grooves in the chewing surfaces of certain teeth completely clean. That’s where dental sealants come in. At Rowlett Dental Kids, Dr. Tera Pollock is very likely to recommend sealants as an easy and comfortable preventive service that helps block out bacteria from these vulnerable areas, helping patients enjoy healthier, happier teeth in the long run. Our Rowlett, TX practice welcomes new patients from Garland, TX and other nearby areas – don’t hesitate to contact us today!
How Do Dental Sealants Work?
Dental sealants are directly applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth through a fast and easy process. Your child can even eat right after their appointment! Just like the name implies, they’re designed to “seal” these areas shut, creating a strong barrier that prevents dangerous accumulations of food particles that could lead to cavities over time. Sealants are highly recommended for premolars and molars, and their use should be paired with a healthy diet and diligent brushing and flossing to ensure the best results possible.
Should Your Child Get Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are great for children who are still learning to get into the habit of brushing and flossing regularly. The sealants will help reduce their risk of developing cavities and increase their confidence while they learn how to properly care for their smile. Depending on your child’s unique needs, we can apply sealants to both permanent and temporary teeth. Typically, we apply them to their premolars and molars because those have the largest grooves and pits that build up with plaque and sugar, which makes them harder to clean.
What are the Benefits of Dental Sealants?
As a parent, one of your top priorities is ensuring that your child has all the tools and techniques they need to keep their smiles healthy and happy as adults. With dental sealants protecting their smile, they can enjoy several benefits, including:
- Improved Oral Health: With less of a chance for cavity development, your child’s teeth will stay healthy.
- Reduced Risk of Orthodontic Issues As Adults: When children lose their teeth too early, it can affect the way that their permanent teeth grow into their mouth. Each baby tooth acts as a space holder, and without them, they have an increased risk of their adult teeth growing in crooked, misaligned, and crowded.
- Boosted Confidence: Children gain countless social skills at school by interacting with friends. Having a healthier smile will make them feel more confident about starting conversations and meeting new people, which allows them to develop important developmental skills.
- Better Experience At the Dentist: With fewer cavities, visits to their pediatric dentist will be much easier, meaning they’re much more likely to enjoy their routine checkups and cleanings! Positive dental visits can keep your child from fearing the dentist or being anxious about taking care of their smile.
What is the Process of Getting Dental Sealants?
At Rowlett Dental Kids, we understand that sitting through an appointment with their pediatric dentist can be difficult. Our team works quickly and can complete the entire dental sealant process in about a half-hour. The process is completely pain-free, all we do is pain a thin sealant over the surface of their molars or premolars. Once the sealant has been applied, we cure it with a low-heat light to create a protective seal that allows it to stay in place for a year or more without needing to be reapplied.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
As long as they’re cared for properly, dental sealants can last for quite some time and protect your child’s teeth throughout their most cavity-prone years. It’s possible that they may experience some wear-and-tear over time; Dr. Pollock will be sure to inspect them during checkups every six months, recommending repairs or the reapplication of new sealants if necessary.
If you have any additional questions about how we can optimize your child’s health and protect their teeth and gums from harmful oral bacteria, don’t hesitate to contact our office! Our team of professionals is highly experienced with treating children, and we’ll go out of our way to make sure your little one has a great experience!
Dental Sealant FAQs
Do you still have questions about dental sealants and how they can boost your child’s oral health by preventing cavities? Below, we’ve answered some common questions we receive about this preventive procedure from parents.
Who are ideal dental sealant candidates?
The best candidates for dental sealants are younger children who are still learning how to properly take care of their smile and maintain a nutritious diet. However, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t also a great option for adults! Some people have deep crevices that are hard to reach with a toothbrush and effective at collecting food debris and bacteria. For these patients, dental sealants can help prevent this from occurring, reducing their risk of dental decay.
What causes cavities to form?
Cavities form when food debris mixes with saliva and bacteria to form plaque that coats the teeth. When this sticky substance isn’t removed, the bacteria will continue feeding off of the substances found in plaque and produce enamel-eroding acid that can make your child’s teeth vulnerable to decay. As the plaque, bacteria, and tartar accumulate, it will cause cavities to form, which can result in dental sensitivity and a variety of other oral health problems.
Can my child get cavities from drinking too much juice?
Children love juice, and many parents purchase it because they believe it’s a better alternative to other drinks out there. Unfortunately, it contains high amounts of sugar, which are what harmful oral bacteria feed off of in order to produce enamel-eroding acids. While it’s okay for your child to drink juice in moderation, it’s best to regularly substitute water and milk instead, which can help naturally keep their mouth clean and gums and teeth strong.
Will my dental insurance cover the cost of my child’s dental sealants?
All dental insurance plans differ, which is why it’s important to check with your individual provider beforehand to ensure that your benefits cover the cost. Some plans view sealants as a safe, durable, and effective way to prevent additional oral health problems from occurring and will cover the cost. However, others don’t. If you need help getting in touch with your insurance provider or would like to learn about additional financing through CareCredit, don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly dental staff members. We’ll be more than happy to answer and questions and concerns you have so you can rest-assured that your child’s smile is healthy and happy.