Begin a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums for your child by preventing tooth decay. One tool that helps is a dental sealant. A sealant is a thin coating that a dentist “paints” on the chewing surface of teeth (usually molars).
Sealants guard the grooves of these teeth from food and bacteria. This protects against plaque and acids that attack the teeth and cause cavities.
Who Should Get Sealants?
All children should get sealants on their back teeth as soon as the tooth emerges.
Sealants can only go on teeth with no cavities. Taking your child for a dental visit every six months makes sure that the dentist can apply a sealant as soon as each back teeth comes out.
How Do Children Get Sealants?
Applying sealants is quick and painless. The dentist:
- cleans the tooth
- primes the tooth surface so the sealant will bond
- paints the sealant on the tooth
- “sets” the sealant by shining a special light on it
Dental sealant lasts from five to 10 years. The dentist will check it during regular appointments and do a “touch up” if your child needs one.
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