Are Children Eligible For Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are painted on the back surfaces of a patient’s teeth. Sealants are primarily placed on the premolars and molars to prevent decay. Moreover, sealants usually bond swiftly with the grooves and depressions of your teeth, forming a protective shield on the enamel of your tooth. Therefore, sealants protect the vulnerable areas of your teeth from tooth decay by sealing out food particles and plaque.

Who is Eligible for Dental Sealants?

Patients with a likelihood of developing decay on the grooves and depressions of their molars or premolars qualify for sealants. Also, adults without fillings or tooth decay can benefit from sealants.

Children can get dental sealants once their permanent premolars and molars are fully developed. These sealants can protect their teeth throughout their cavity-prone years, usually between 6-14 years. A pediatric dentist may recommend sealants for your toddler’s teeth. However, this only occurs if the toddler’s teeth contain deep grooves and depressions. Moreover, a baby’s teeth usually play an essential role in making spaces for the development of permanent teeth.

How Are Dental Sealants Applied?

The procedure for applying sealants is usually painless and straightforward. Moreover, the process takes roughly 20-40 minutes for your dentist to apply the sealant onto your tooth.

Below is the procedure for applying sealants:

• First, the dentist will thoroughly clean the teeth to be sealed using a paste and a rotating brush.
• Each tooth is then washed using water and dried using cotton, and extra absorbent material is placed around the tooth to dry it further.
• An acidic solution is then placed on the chewing surfaces of your teeth for a few minutes. The acid will aid in roughening the teeth and bonding the sealant to the teeth.
• The teeth are then rinsed off and dried before a liquid dental sealant is placed on your teeth and hardened. A dentist will use ultraviolet light to harden the dental sealant. Alternatively, the dentist may use two complacent dental sealants, which are fixed without the help of the UV light.

How Long Do Sealants Last on Teeth?

Most patients who have received sealants have reported that they effectively prevent decay on occlusal or chewing surfaces for up to 10 years. However, you will need to undergo routine dental check-ups to monitor wearing out and chipping. Your dentist can also replace the sealant regularly, depending on their recommendations after a dental exam.

Will I still Need to Use Fluoride with Dental Sealants?

Both sealants and fluoride are essential in protecting your teeth’ surfaces against cavities and tooth decay. Thus, fluoride can be used comfortably on bonds.

How Do Sealants Look?

Dental sealants come in different forms. They can be white, clear, or slightly tinted, depending on the dental sealant used and the patient’s preference.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pediatric Dentist Near Me

Maintaining good oral care for your children is among the many responsibilities of parenting. Moreover, children’s teeth are more prone to fractures and cavities than adults, making dental visits at least twice a year is inevitable.

Pediatric dentistry is a unique branch in dentistry due to the complexity of handling children. Moreover, pediatric dentists undergo the same medical degrees and have the same professional responsibilities as general dentistry near me. However, pediatric dentists are required to undertake an additional certification to qualify to handle children.

Below are some of the points to consider when scouting for a dentist near you.

Location: Consider the distance you and your autistic child have to travel for a dental visit. It is advisable to have your dentist within your locality. You can search for dental sealants for kids near me or dental sealants near me and develop a comparison matrix to gauge them. If in Milford, you can look up pediatric dentist in Milford CT for an available specialist.

• Cost: Call the pediatric dentist within your matrix for a quote and gauge them against your budget. You can also ask for recommendations from your general dentist Milford, CT.
• Capacity: Look for a dentist with a well-equipped dental clinic capable of performing all pediatric dental procedures.