Children’s Dental Health Month: “Sealants Make Sense”

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! This year, the theme is “Sealants Make Sense” to help raise awareness of the benefits of dental sealants.

Dental sealants prevent cavities by up to 80%!

What is a dental sealant?

A sealant is a thin material placed into the deep grooves of the chewing surfaces of the teeth (usually on permanent molars which erupt around ages 6 and 12). The deep grooves are the natural anatomy of the teeth that are prone to trapping bacteria, leading to decay.

Why does my child need a dental sealant?

Electric toothbrushes like the children’s Sonicare brush do an excellent job of removing plaque and bacteria better than a regular manual toothbrush. However, even a Sonicare toothbrush’s bristles sometimes can’t thoroughly clean those deep grooves.

How does a dental sealant work?

Dental sealants will literally seal the grooves to prevent plaque and bacteria from getting trapped and will in turn prevent cavities. What’s even better is the sealant placing process is quick and easy. It only takes a couple of minutes per tooth to place the sealant and is a painless process- no numbing or drilling required!

Are dental sealants expensive?

Sealants are usually covered by dental insurance for children, and they last for several years. This is a great opportunity to invest in the dental health of your child!

If you are interested in sealant placement for your child’s teeth, contact us for a consultation by calling 919-985-7300.