While proper brushing and flossing are the best way to prevent tooth decay, they often aren’t enough for our youngest patients, who can often benefit from getting dental sealants. The best way to treat cavities is to prevent them from developing in the first place, and that’s why we offer dental sealants as an option for our pediatric patients. Some adults can benefit from them as well.
A dental sealant is a thin coating of specialized resin applied to the tooth. It acts as a shield to keep bacteria from penetrating the grooves and crevices of the tooth and causing decay. These parts of the tooth are especially hard for children to brush, which is why so many school-aged children develop dental decay.
School-aged children benefit the most from dental sealants, but younger children, teens, and adults can also benefit. Nearly half of all school-aged children develop cavities, but those without dental sealants develop three times as many.
Dental sealants are safe and have no known side effects. The ingredients used in the plastic resin are not in high enough quantities to have health effects. If you have further concerns about the safety of dental sealants, please contact our El Segundo dentist office. The staff will be happy to answer your questions and help alleviate your worries.
Dental sealants are one of the best ways to prevent your child from developing cavities! Multiple studies have concluded that dental sealants are an incredibly effective way to reduce the development of cavities in pediatric patients, particularly in school-aged children.
Forty-three percent (nearly half!) of all children develop cavities between the ages of 6 and 11. This risk is reduced by 80 percent for children who have dental sealants.
The process is simple, quick, and painless. The dentist cleans and dries the tooth before applying a gel that “roughens” the surface. This ensures the resin will adhere better. Your doctor will rinse the gel off after a few seconds and apply the sealant to the teeth. It will then be hardened using a special blue light.
That’s it! Nitrous oxide might be used to help anxious children stay calm. In addition, sealants for the smallest children will be painted on with a special brush to control the amount applied.
It depends on the extent of the tooth decay. An advanced cavity will need to be treated before sealants can be applied. Early tooth decay, however, can be covered by the sealant. This will prevent future decay and your dentist will monitor it at every checkup.
It depends on the patient. Dental sealants can last for multiple years before they need to be reapplied. Over time, the sealant will develop holes or cracks and need to be replaced. Your provider here at the El Segundo office will check the sealants at every check-up and can reapply them as needed.
Dental sealants are an inexpensive option to give your teeth some extra protection. They are often 100 percent covered by dental insurance for pediatric patients. If you don’t have insurance, dental sealants start at around $30 per tooth. Our office offers payment arrangements and financing options to help you get the care you need. Ask about them the next time you visit.
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