What to Expect from Your Child's Dental Sealants

Did you know more than half of children ages 6-8 get cavities in their baby teeth? Or that 57% of adolescents have a cavity in their permanent teeth? These cavities are a chronic childhood disease and are called early childhood caries (ECC).

ECC is the most common chronic pediatric disease and can become severe in certain cases. ECC may be marked by these features:

One or more teeth with cavities
Starts from tooth eruption and advances quickly
Initiated by a breakdown of bacteria from the foods your child eats
Can negatively affect speech, sleep, diet, play, and quality of life
Increases the risk for new cavities in baby and permanent teeth

Left untreated, ECC can destroy your child’s teeth and smile, and costs for cavity repair, surgery, anesthesia, and restoration can skyrocket, depending on the damage. The good news is that dental sealants work to stop tooth decay before it starts.

At his private practice in Butte, Montana, Robert F. Wilcox, DMD, provides the best in pediatric dentistry to keep your child’s dental health in tiptop shape. Dental sealants are one of the most effective ways to protect your child’s teeth, and Dr. Wilcox has years of experience placing sealants.

If you’re considering sealants, take a moment to learn more.

All about dental sealants

Most cavities form in the back molars, in hard-to-reach places that even regular brushing and flossing have trouble cleaning. Sealants can help. These thin coatings of plastic material fill in the grooves and crevices, making it harder for cavities to form.

Here’s a look at the top questions and answers about sealants to help you and your child prepare for this treatment:

When should my child get sealants?

We recommend sealants as soon as your child gets their first molars, usually around 6 years old. Around age 12, the second set of molars emerge. Your child may need to have the protective sealing coating applied to those, too.

How are sealants applied?

Sealant application is fast and easy. Dr. Wilcox coats the tooth with a solution to prepare it for adhesion and paints the molar with the thin sealant. He uses a special light to dry the sealant, and that’s it. This process takes only a few minutes and is painless.

Are sealants effective?

Sealants stop 80% of cavities from forming for two years and provide continued protection against 50% or more of ECC for up to four years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Are sealants affordable?

Sealants are included in the preventive care coverage of many insurance plans, so check your policy. But even if you have to pay out of pocket, sealants are extremely affordable and help prevent more expensive dental complications.

Learn more about dental sealants

If you’d like to learn more about dental sealants or want to schedule an appointment for your child, you’re in the right place. Schedule an appointment online or over the phone at our Butte, Montana, office today.