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Dental Sealants – Midland, TX

Protect Your Kids’ Teeth Against Cavities

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tooth decay is the most common chronic disease for children ages 6 to 19. From sugary fruit juices after a soccer game to sweet treats after dinner, many children’s diets include foods and snacks high in sugar that can threaten their oral health.  

Teaching your kids excellent oral hygiene habits at home and regularly visiting a pediatric dentist in Midland for dental checkups will go a long way toward fighting against and preventing cavities. However, school-aged children can still benefit from the extra layer of protection provided by dental sealants. To give your son or daughter the strongest defense against tooth decay possible, give us a call at Midland Kid’s Dentist today!

What are Dental Sealants?

Boy smiling into mirror at dentist office

The small grooves and fissures on back teeth make excellent places for food particles and harmful bacteria to hide out and attack the tooth enamel. These hard-to-reach places can be difficult to thoroughly clean with a toothbrush, especially for children who may still be learning how to brush properly.

This is where dental sealants come in.

A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth – most frequently molars and premolars – to prevent tooth decay. Often clear or white, the hard coating acts as a protective barrier to prevent food particles and germs from getting stuck in the tiny grooves and fissures in teeth and causing cavities. In some cases, sealants can even be placed on areas of early decay to prevent an emerging cavity from causing further damage to a tooth.

How are Dental Sealants Applied?

Boy smiling at dentist

The dental sealant procedure is quick and painless and can be completed in a single trip to our conveniently-located Midland office. The procedure typically goes as follows:

  • First, a dentist cleans and dries the tooth.
  • Next, a special gel is applied to roughen up the tooth’s chewing surface. This helps ensure the sealant will firmly bond to the tooth.
  • After the tooth is dried again, the sealant is carefully painted onto the tooth.
  • Finally, a special curing light hardens the sealant in place.

It is that easy! With the exception of an allergy that may exist, this common preventive treatment has no known side effects. 

How Long do Dental Sealants Last?

Young girl at dentist with parents

Dental sealants can last for up to 10 years, providing a valuable and effective shield against tooth decay during early years when children are still learning about the importance of daily brushing and flossing.

Once in place, it is important that your children’s sealants are checked by a dental professional during regular checkups every six months. If sealants eventually begin to chip or wear down, they can easily be repaired or replaced.

Can My Child Benefit from Sealants?

Group of children smiling

Research has shown that most young children whose molars or premolars have erupted can benefit from the protection provided by dental sealants. In fact, according to research from the CDC, children ages 6 to 11 without sealants have almost 3 times more 1st molar cavities than their friends and classmates with sealants! 

As soon as children’s secondary teeth fully erupt through the gums, they are vulnerable to tooth decay. To help prevent cavities from developing, talk to a pediatric dentist in Midland about dental sealants as soon as your child’s molars or premolars come in – typically between the ages of 6 and 12 years old.