Dental sealants are a preventative treatment that can help your child avoid cavities from developing on their adult (and on occasion, baby) teeth.  We’ll delve into how these protective measures can make a significant difference in preventing cavities and ensuring your little one's smile stays bright. Read on to learn more about how dental sealants provide a way to optimize your child’s chances for a cavity-free future. Your child's healthy, happy smile begins here.

Understanding Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating applied to the deepest grooves that develop in back teeth.  In your home, you might seal tile and grout to prolong the life and performance of tile and prevent moisture and microscopic organisms such as mold from damaging the underlying surfaces.  Sealants work similarly on teeth to help block sticky plaque from settling into deep grooves of the teeth where they could soften and eventually break down enamel to form a cavity.  In this way, they can prolong the health and life of a tooth and prevent damage and infection to the deeper layers of the tooth.

They're no substitute for brushing and flossing, but sealants can keep cavities from forming and may even stop early stages of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity. Pediatric dental sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. This is especially important when it comes to your child’s dental health since more than 50% of children will have at least one cavity by age 11.

Why Your Child Might Need Dental Sealants

You might be thinking, "My kid has a healthy diet and we brush and floss regularly. Does my child really need dental sealants?" Even with excellent home habits, the grooves that form the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are extremely difficult to clean of bacteria and food. Sometimes the grooves in our back teeth are so thin and deep that the toothbrush bristles cannot fully reach and clean them, but bacteria and acid can still settle in.  As the bacteria reacts with the food, more acids form and break down the tooth enamel, causing cavities. Your pediatric dentist, Dr. Shah, can place conservative, minimally invasive, and protective dental sealants to safeguard these vulnerable areas by "sealing out" food, bacteria, and acid.

The Process of Applying Dental Sealants

The process of applying dental sealants is quick, painless, and simple. First, the teeth are thoroughly cleaned. Each tooth to be sealed is then dried, and a second cleansing solution is applied to prepare the surface of the tooth and help the sealant bond with the teeth. A priming or bonding agent, followed by a sealant is then applied to the tooth and hardened with a special light. The whole process takes just a few minutes per tooth.

The Longevity and Effectiveness of Dental Sealants

Pediatric dental sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years or more, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing at regular dental check-ups. Your dentist can replace sealants as necessary. Sealants are less invasive, less uncomfortable, and a fraction of the cost of treating a cavity. 

Schedule Your Child's Dental Sealant Procedure Today!

At Mission Bay Pediatric Dentistry, we believe in prevention first. Dental sealants are a simple, minimally invasive, and effective way to protect your child's teeth from decay. Don't wait until a cavity forms. Give us a call at (415) 825-3323 and schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist in San Francisco. Let's work together to keep your child's smile healthy and bright!