Sealants

As parents, we all want what is best for our children. While those decisions can sometimes be difficult to weigh, we wanted to help make one of your choices easier. There are a variety of different options you need to make when you consider your child’s dental choices. This can be their toothpastes, mouthwashes, types of floss, and toothbrushes.

While there are so many different options, there is one thing that you can do to help your children’s oral health that does not take too much consideration. Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to your child’s teeth that offer an additional layer of protection on their teeth. This extra layer of protection protects the teeth from bacteria and infections that children can be especially prone to.

Why You Should Consider Sealants

Dental care practices are solidified in our childhood and carry out through our adult lives. Children who practice poor oral hygiene tend to lead to adults who practice the same. Unfortunately, many kids are especially prone to cavities or infections around their teeth. If they are already practicing good oral hygiene, the presence of cavities can make them feel defeated or beat down by their routine. Adding dental sealants can help tip the scales in their favor for great oral health.

Sealants are a quick and painless process. While people may associate additional procedures at the dentist’s office with pain and discomfort, dental sealants only take a few minutes to treat the whole mouth, and they do not hurt at all. The sealant is simply painted onto the surface of the tooth and then treated to allow it to adhere and harden on the tooth. Your child probably will not even notice a change in how their mouth and teeth feel.

Sealants are covered by most dental insurance plans. Insurances have recognized the minimal cost and maximum protection that sealants offer, so it makes sense for them to cover their application. Of course, if you are not sure if sealants are covered on your plan, contact our office today. Our friendly team is more than happy to help work with you and your insurance to find out exactly what to expect.

Who Should Get Sealants?

This answer can vary from patient to patient. Not all patients should have sealants applied to their baby teeth. However, children who have deep depressions or grooves in their teeth are ideal candidates for sealants.

Additionally, dental sealants should be applied when permanent teeth come in. This makes older children, preteens, and teens ideal candidates for dental sealants. Adults who have not had sealants applied to their permanent teeth, who also do not have cavities or tooth decay, should consider dental sealants.

Caring for Sealants

Sealants do not require specialized care over your normal dental routine. That means that you brush twice a day and floss your teeth daily. Attending your regularly scheduled dental appointments (every six months) is also very important. These checkups allow your dentist to inspect the sealants to ensure that they have not chipped or cracked, and then to repair them if they have.

If sealants are well cared for, they can last up to ten years, sometimes even longer before they need to be reapplied.

The Cost of Sealants

If you have dental insurance, sealants probably do not cost you anything out of pocket. If you do not have dental insurance, sealants can often be covered by your medical insurance too. For our patients who do not carry dental insurance, sealants provide a great tool to help fight against cavities and tooth decay for a minimal price. Talk to our friendly staff today so that we can get you the information that you need.

Overview

Dental sealants are a quick and painless way to add another layer of protection to your teeth. If your child has not had sealants in the past, contact Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry today at 817-646-2200 to schedule your appointment.