Get All the Answers about Dental Sealants

Want to protect your child from cavities? Discover how dental sealants can help keep kids cavity-free.

1. So what are dental sealants?
   Dental sealants are very thin, plastic coatings that get brushed onto the chewing surfaces of a child’s permanent back teeth to help guard them from cavities. They are usually used on children and have become an extremely popular procedure in family dentistry clinics.
2. How do dental sealants provide cavity protection?
   There are deep grooves in the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which can trap tooth decay over time. These areas are hard to reach and clean with a toothbrush, but having a pediatric dentist in Union apply dental sealants over these grooves provides a strong layer of protection that keeps decay at bay.
3. What’s the appropriate age for a child to get dental sealants?
   According to family dentistry experts, a child can get their first tooth sealants as soon as a molar or premolar erupts, which often occurs around age six, with more molars erupting again between the ages of 11 and 13. But since every child is different, your pediatric dentist in Union will let you know when your child can get dental sealants.
4. How long do dental sealants last?
   Family dentistry studies show that tooth sealants can stay strong and effective for many years. If they start to wear over time, your pediatric dentist in Union can simply reapply them.
5. Are dental sealants ever used on adults?
   Yes, but these tooth sealants are much common for children. In some cases, dental sealants are used on adults who are at a high risk for cavities and lack prior fillings for protection.

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Union, call American Dental Center today at (908) 279-0623 or make an appointment.