Your Guide to Dental Sealants for Kids

Brushing and flossing are essential to maintaining your child’s oral health, but what about those hard-to-reach pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars? These areas are often breeding grounds for bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities. At Highlight Family Dentistry of Hutto, we offer dental sealants, a safe and highly effective preventive solution that provides a protective layer to shield these vulnerable tooth surfaces from tooth decay, helping keep your child’s smile healthy and bright. 

What Are Dental Sealants?

Your child’s permanent premolars and molars have tiny grooves and crevices that trap food debris and bacteria, which is why they are vulnerable to decay. Dental sealants are thin coatings we paint on the chewing surfaces of premolars and molars, essentially sealing away bacteria and food particles, which helps significantly lower the risk of tooth decay and cavities.

The dental sealant procedure is quick and easy and does not require any numbing using local anesthetics. By preventing harmful bacteria and food particles, especially sugars, from building up in the grooves and crevices of your child’s tooth surfaces, sealants significantly reduce their risk of developing tooth decay and cavities that can advance and increase in severity with time.

When Should My Child Get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are recommended for children when the first and second sets of molars come in, around age six and 12. Sealing these teeth as they come in helps protect them right from the start. Early cavity prevention helps avoid more complex and costly dental treatments later. Dental sealants can also be a great option for teens and young adults.

How Are Dental Sealants Applied?

Applying dental sealants is a quick, easy, and painless procedure. We simply brush the sealant liquid onto the chewing surfaces of your child’s molars and premolars and use an LED blue light to harden and bond the liquid sealant to the tooth structure. Once the process is completed, your child can eat or drink normally and return to school immediately. There are no downtime or restrictions following the dental sealant application.

Additional Ways to Prevent Cavities in Children

Dental sealants work hand in hand with your child’s oral care routine. Here are some practices to help your child lower the risk of cavities:

• Regular teeth brushing using fluoride toothpaste for extra protection
• Flossing regularly to remove any trapped plaque or food particles
• Choosing healthy food options over sugary snacks
• Visiting Highlight Family Dentistry for regular checkups and cleanings

Pediatric Dental Sealants Near Me in Hutto, TX

Dental care for kids and adults can be fun! At Highlight Family Dentistry, we ensure that you and your little ones enjoy achieving the brightest smiles and are with you every step of the journey to healthy, beautiful smiles. Our office provides a comfortable and calming setting for you and your child’s appointments to feel like a breeze. Considering dental sealants for your kid? We invite you to call us at (512) 886-2644 to schedule an appointment or book one online today!