Different Types Of Dental Sealants For Kids

Different Types Of Dental Sealants For Kids

Feb 05, 2023

Those little smiles we see our young ones flash every minute warms our hearts. This is because the pinnacle of a beautiful smile is healthy teeth. Therefore, as a parent, you are tasked to ensure that your baby’s smile doesn’t lose its radiance. In other words, you must ensure that their teeth and gums are bacteria-free.

Plaque is the leading cause of cavities. Kids are not so good at caring for their teeth, so they are at a cavity-prone age. The back teeth are even more susceptible to cavities because of the fissures and the pits. That’s why our pediatric dentist in Bloomfield, CT, offers dental sealants.

Once sealants are applied to the back teeth, they reduce your child’s chances of dental cavities. Even though there are different types of sealants, they all serve the same purpose.

Dental Sealants 101

Dental sealants in Bloomfield, CT, are made from clear plastic (resin), which our pediatric dentist applies when liquid on the grooves and the pits on the teeth’s back surface. The reason for applying sealants on the back teeth is that the back teeth are much harder to clean than the other teeth.

In fact, cleaning the back teeth can even be hard for people with the proper cleaning technique since the grooves and the pits can be deep, and a toothbrush might not reach them. So food and bacteria will find the perfect hiding spot, which leads to decay.

That’s why dental sealants come in handy. They are applied as a liquid because they can sip into the grooves and pits. So, once it hardens, it provides a protective covering for the back teeth.

Dental sealants are good for your kid’s teeth since they reduce the chance of getting cavities by over 85%.

Remember, sealants aren’t only for kids; adults with back teeth with deep grooves can benefit from this treatment. But it would help if you remembered that dental sealants are insufficient to prevent cavities. Therefore, you must complete performing normal teeth-cleaning tasks. Sealants only reduce the risk of getting cavities.

When Should Your Child Get Dental Sealants?

Prevention is always the best approach. Therefore, the earlier, the better. Once your kid’s back teeth have come in, you must schedule an appointment with our pediatric dentist in Bloomfield, CT.

Your kid can also get dental sealants for primary teeth since including sealants will complement their dental hygiene. But the emphasis is on protecting the permanent teeth from cavities.

In most cases, the back teeth come in from six to around 12 years. Also, these are the cavity-prone years, which means that this is the window you should take advantage of. It doesn’t mean that teenagers are excluded from the treatment. If you have a teenager with no dental sealants on the back teeth, it is a good time to bring them in for treatment.

Types of Dental Sealants

Sealants are usually made from chemicals, resins, and fillers. The materials used in a particular sealant determine its traits. For instance, some materials are more resistant to wear, whereas others may flow more readily into the fissures and pits of the back teeth. In any case, your kid’s teeth will be protected from cavities.

Here are the common types of dental sealants:

Composite Resin

These are tooth-colored dental sealants that are made from plastic (resin). They will blend in with the rest of the teeth in your kid’s mouth.

Our pediatric dentist will place a mouth pillow prop in your kid’s mouth to assist your kid in keeping their mouth open. Plus, it helps keep the teeth receiving sealants dry so that they can receive the sealants.

Then, the teeth are cleaned with shampoo to remove debris and bacteria from the back teeth. Our pediatric dentist will proceed by placing a primer layer; then, the composite resin will be applied to the teeth.

The composite resin will harden after the teeth are exposed to a curing light. In a few moments, the teeth will be protected.

Composite resin is sturdy and more durable than glass ionomer dental sealants.

Glass Ionomer

Dental sealants made from glass ionomer are different from composite resin. The glass ionomer is a more flexible paste and can even be used for baby teeth. Glass ionomer cannot be cured using a curing light. Our pediatric dentist will mix two compounds to create an acid-base reaction over your kid’s teeth.

One good thing about glass ionomer is that it slowly releases fluoride, which helps strengthen your kid’s enamel. The only problem is that they are less durable than composite resin.

If you contact us at Bloomfield Pediatric Dentistry, we would love to help decipher which dental sealant near you is good for your kid.

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