What are Dental Sealants?
A Simple Protective Coating
Sealants are made of a clear or slightly tinted plastic material that bonds directly to the tooth surface. The material is BPA-free and has been used safely in pediatric dentistry for over 50 years.
The sealant flows into the grooves and fissures of the tooth, hardening to create a smooth barrier that keeps food and bacteria from accumulating in these hard-to-reach places.
Quick and Painless Application
Applying sealants takes just minutes per tooth. There’s no drilling, no shots, no pain. Your child simply sits with their mouth open while Dr. Matt carefully applies and hardens the sealant material.
Visible Protection
You can actually see the sealant on your child’s tooth. It appears as a thin coating on the chewing surface. Over time, sealants may wear away or chip, which is why we monitor them at regular checkups.
The Sealant Application Process
- Preparation: First, we thoroughly clean and dry the tooth surface. A mild acidic gel is briefly applied to slightly roughen the enamel surface, creating a better bond for the sealant material.
- Application: Dr. Matt applies the liquid sealant material carefully into all the grooves and fissures of the tooth. The material flows into even the deepest crevices.
- Hardening: We use a special blue light to harden the sealant material in seconds. The light causes the liquid to polymerize into a solid, durable coating.
- Completion: Once hardened, the sealant is complete. Your child can eat normally immediately after the appointment. No recovery time or dietary restrictions are needed.
When to Get Sealants
Sealants work best when applied shortly after permanent molars erupt. First molars typically come in around age six, and second molars around age twelve. We recommend applying sealants to first molars as soon as they’re fully erupted and your child can cooperate for the procedure. Second molars get sealants when they come in.
While sealants are most commonly applied in childhood, older children and even adults without existing decay on their back teeth can benefit from sealants. Dr. Matt assesses each child individually and recommends sealants when appropriate.
In some cases, particularly if a child has a history of cavities, we may recommend sealants on premolars as well as molars.
Who Should Get Dental Sealants?
- Children with Deep Grooves: Some children naturally have deeper, more pronounced grooves on their back teeth. These deeper crevices are harder to clean and more cavity-prone, making sealants especially beneficial.
- Kids Prone to Cavities: If your child has had cavities before or has a family history of dental problems, sealants provide valuable extra protection.
- Children with Inconsistent Brushing Habits: We know that some kids struggle with thorough brushing, particularly on those back teeth. Sealants help protect against decay even if brushing isn’t always perfect.
- High-Risk Dietary Patterns: If your child consumes frequent sugary snacks or drinks, sealants reduce the damage caused by these dietary habits.
- Children with Special Oral Care Needs: Kids with difficulty brushing due to physical or developmental challenges benefit significantly from the extra protection sealants provide.
- Basically, Most Children Benefit: Honestly, most children can benefit from sealants on their back teeth. Dr. Matt assesses your child’s individual risk factors and recommends sealants when he believes they’ll make a meaningful difference.
How Sealants Prevent Cavities
1. Blocking Access to Decay-Causing Bacteria
Bacteria in the mouth produce acid when they consume sugar. This acid eats away at tooth enamel, creating cavities. By sealing off the deep grooves where bacteria hide, we prevent this destructive process.
2. Making Teeth Easier to Clean
A sealed tooth has a smooth chewing surface instead of deep fissures. This means your child’s toothbrush can actually reach and clean the entire surface during daily brushing.
3. Long-Term Protection
A single sealant application can protect a tooth for years. While sealants eventually wear away, the years of protection they provide during cavity-prone childhood years is invaluable.
4. Working With Your Home Care
Sealants don’t replace brushing and flossing. Instead, they work alongside good oral hygiene habits to maximize protection against decay.
Sealant Effectiveness and Durability
Research-Backed Results
Studies consistently show that dental sealants reduce cavity risk on back teeth by 70 to 80 percent. These aren’t just statistics; they represent real children growing up without cavities on their molars and premolars.
How Long Do Sealants Last
Sealants typically last 5 to 10 years, though some wear away or chip sooner depending on chewing habits and wear patterns. Dr. Matt monitors sealants at every checkup and re-applies them if needed.
Signs a Sealant Needs Replacement
We look for chipping, peeling, or complete loss during regular checkups. If a sealant is compromised, we simply reapply it. There’s no cost to your child’s comfort or safety.
Sealants Don’t Prevent All Cavities
While sealants are excellent at preventing cavities on the chewing surfaces, they don’t protect the smooth surfaces of teeth. Proper brushing, flossing, fluoride, and diet still matter for overall cavity prevention.
Dental Sealants at Pediatric Dentistry of Arnold
Dr. Matt has applied thousands of dental sealants. His careful attention to detail ensures complete coverage of all grooves and fissures, maximizing the protective benefit.
His military background trained him in precision work. You’ll notice this in how carefully he applies sealants, making sure every crevice is properly sealed without excess material.
Dr. Matt also doesn’t recommend sealants for every child automatically. Instead, he assesses cavity risk, examines the tooth structure, reviews your child’s oral hygiene and dietary habits, and recommends sealants when he genuinely believes they’ll benefit your child.
Sealants are one part of our comprehensive prevention strategy. We combine sealants with fluoride treatments, professional cleanings, and education about home care to give your child maximum protection against decay. We discuss sealant costs upfront and help you understand your insurance coverage. Many insurance plans cover sealants on back teeth for children, making them an affordable preventive investment.
Maintaining Sealants at Home
- Normal Brushing and Flossing: Continue brushing twice daily and flossing daily. Sealants don’t change your child’s home care routine. In fact, the sealed teeth should be easier to keep clean.
- Avoid Extremely Hard Foods: While sealants are durable, extremely hard foods like hard candy, ice, or hard nuts can damage them. Encourage your child to chew normally but avoid foods that might crack or chip a sealant.
- Regular Monitoring: We check sealants at every six-month appointment. If a sealant is wearing or has chipped, we’ll let you know and can re-apply it if needed.
- Don’t Worry About Normal Wear: Sealants naturally wear over time. This is expected and normal. We monitor wear patterns and reapply sealants as needed without any alarm or concern.
Comparing Sealants to Other Preventive Options
Sealants vs. Fluoride
Both are excellent preventive tools but work differently. Fluoride strengthens enamel throughout the mouth. Sealants specifically protect the vulnerable grooves of back teeth. Together, they provide comprehensive protection.
Sealants vs. Fillings
A sealant prevents a cavity from forming. A filling treats a cavity that’s already formed. Prevention is always better than treatment because sealants are faster, cheaper, and more comfortable than fillings.
Sealants vs. Good Brushing Alone
Even the most thorough brushing can’t reach deep into tooth fissures. Sealants provide protection that brushing alone cannot achieve.
The Complete Prevention Picture
For maximum cavity prevention, children benefit from fluoridated water, fluoride toothpaste, professional fluoride treatments, professional cleanings, sealants, good brushing and flossing, and smart dietary choices.
Serving Families in Arnold and South County
Families throughout our region understand the value of getting sealants applied to their children’s back teeth. Whether your family is in Arnold, Oakville, Mehlville, Affton, Festus, Imperial, or surrounding South County neighborhoods, professional sealant application gives your child a significant advantage in cavity prevention.
We’ve sealed thousands of molars and premolars for South County children. The families we serve appreciate our proactive approach to prevention that keeps their children cavity-free.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Sealants
Are sealants safe for children?
Yes. Sealants have been used safely in pediatric dentistry for over 50 years. The material is BPA-free and bonds only to the tooth surface. No sealant material is swallowed. They’re completely safe and approved by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Will my child feel anything during sealant application?
No. The process is painless. Your child won’t feel drilling, shots, or discomfort. Some kids describe a slight vibration or pressure, but there’s no pain involved.
How long does the sealant appointment take?
Applying sealants to multiple teeth takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many teeth need sealing. It’s a quick appointment that can often be done during a regular cleaning and checkup visit.
Can my child eat immediately after sealants?
Yes. Sealants harden immediately under the blue light. Your child can eat and drink normally right away with no dietary restrictions.
Do sealants need special care?
No special care is needed. Your child should continue brushing and flossing normally. Just avoid extremely hard foods that might crack or chip the sealant.
What if my child’s sealant chips or falls off?
Let us know at your next appointment or call us if it happens between visits. We can quickly reapply the sealant. There’s no concern or alarm if this happens.
Can sealants be applied to baby teeth?
We don’t typically seal baby teeth because they eventually fall out. We focus on sealing permanent molars and premolars, which your child will have for life.
What if my child already has a cavity on a back tooth?
We can’t seal a tooth that already has decay. We’d treat the cavity first, then consider whether sealing makes sense for that tooth. We may seal adjacent teeth to prevent similar problems.
Do sealants replace the need for fluoride treatments?
No. Sealants and fluoride work differently and together provide better protection than either alone. Sealants protect the grooves of back teeth. Fluoride strengthens enamel throughout the mouth. Both are valuable for comprehensive prevention.
How often do sealants need to be replaced?
Sealants typically last 5 to 10 years. We monitor them at every checkup and reapply as needed when they wear away or chip. Most children need sealants reapplied once or twice during their childhood years.
Will sealants prevent all cavities?
Sealants prevent most cavities on the chewing surfaces of sealed teeth, but cavities can still develop on the smooth surfaces between teeth or at the gum line. Good brushing, flossing, fluoride, and diet are still essential for complete cavity prevention.
Schedule Your Child’s Sealant Application in Arnold, MO
If your child has permanent molars that haven’t been sealed, or if previous sealants need reapplication, now is the time to schedule.
Pediatric Dentistry of Arnold
22 Arnold Mall Arnold, MO 63010
(314) 230-8615
Contact us to discuss whether dental sealants are right for your child. Dr. Matt will assess their individual needs and recommend sealants when he believes they’ll provide meaningful protection against decay.
Invest in Your Child’s Confident Smile
Dental sealants represent a small investment with enormous payoff. A few dollars spent on sealants can prevent hundreds or thousands of dollars in future dental treatment. More importantly, it means your child avoids cavities, fillings, and the discomfort that comes with dental problems. That’s preventive dentistry at its best.
