Can Dental Sealants Help Prevent Oral Cavities?
Dental sealants are an effective and painless way for parents to help their kids avoid cavities. At Forest Ridge Dental Group, we recommend dental sealants for many of our young patients.
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are thin coatings applied to the top of your child’s back teeth, the molars.
Once dry, the coatings harden and cover deep grooves where cavities often flourish. Ninety percent of cavities in children occur on the back teeth. Dental sealants keep harmful bacteria from damaging teeth and creating cavities.
How are dental sealants applied?
At Forest Ridge Dental Group, it’s an easy process to paint sealants onto your child’s teeth. It typically takes one appointment.
If your child is a good candidate for sealants, the first step is to clean and dry the teeth. The next step is to coat the teeth with a solution, which helps the sealant bond to the teeth. Once the solution is dry, the teeth are rinsed and dried again. The final step is to paint the sealant onto the tooth enamel. Sealants are barely noticeable after they’ve been applied.
How long do dental sealants last?
Dental sealants can last up to 10 years with good oral hygiene and regular check-ups. While your children go through the ages and stages of their development, their sealants will be working every day to protect their teeth. Make sure your child keeps up with their regular dental checkups. Sealants that become chipped over the years can be repaired or replaced.
Does dental insurance cover the cost of sealants?
Most dental insurance plans will cover sealants for children under the age of 18. At Forest Ridge Dental Group, we can help you find out if sealants are covered under your dental plan.
Call Forest Ridge Dental Group in Cameron Park to schedule your routine dental check-up now!
