Why Does My Child Need Dental Sealants?

What Hendricks County parent doesn’t want to keep their child’s teeth strong and cavity-free? Less cavities means less dental work to repair the effects of tooth decay. One way Danville Family Dental can protect your child’s teeth is with dental sealants.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a tooth-colored plastic coating that Dr. Jon Erickson applies to the chewing surface of your child’s teeth. This thin protective coating fills in the deep nooks and crannies of the teeth to help keep cavities from forming. Often, sealants are applied to the molars, which are more susceptible to decay since children have a harder time brushing and flossing these back areas. They’re called sealants because they help “seal out” bacteria and plaque acid from adhering to children’s teeth.

When Should My Child Get Sealants?

Your child should get sealants as soon as their molars come in around the age of 6 or 7. That way, the sealants can protect your child’s teeth throughout their cavity-prone years, which happens to be between the ages of 6 to 14.

Are They Effective?

Dental sealants are highly effective and have been proven to prevent cavities in children by 70%. When you consider that tooth decay affects more than one-fourth of children from the ages of 2 to 5 years and half of children ages 12 to 15 years, sealants can help protect your Hendricks County child’s smile.

How Long Do They Last?

Sealants can last 5 to 10 years. But you still need to have your child’s sealants checked during their regular check-ups at Danville Family Dental to make sure they haven’t become chipped or worn away. If a dental sealant becomes damaged, Dr. Erickson can remove it and replace it with a new one.

Are Dental Sealants Covered by Dental Insurance?

Most insurance companies cover the cost of dental sealants. However, you should check with your dental insurance carrier to see if sealants are covered in your plan.

What Do I Need to Do to Get Them for My Child?

Contact the Hendricks County office of Danville Family Dentistry at 317-745-4400 to schedule an appointment to see if sealants are right for your child. With daily brushing and flossing, dental sealants are an additional preventative measure to help protect your child’s teeth. So, make the investment in your child’s smile today.

Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.