Children’s Dental Sealants

Dental Sealants: An Extra Layer of Protection Against Cavities

Proactive dental care helps your child avoid cavities before they even start. That's why we often recommend dental sealants, a simple yet highly effective way to protect your child's vulnerable back teeth.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating made of a tooth-colored or clear material. They are painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars). These teeth have deep grooves and pits where food particles and plaque can easily get trapped, making them prime targets for cavities. Sealants act as a barrier, "sealing" off these grooves and preventing bacteria from settling in.

Why Are Sealants Recommended for Children?

While brushing is essential, the bristles of a toothbrush often can't reach deep into the tiny grooves of a child's molars. This is where sealants make a big difference. They provide a smooth surface that is easy to clean and much less likely to trap food and plaque.

We typically recommend sealants for children as soon as their permanent molars erupt, which is usually between the ages of 6 and 12.

How Are Sealants Applied?

The application of dental sealants is a quick, completely painless, and non-invasive procedure. Here's a brief overview:

Cleaning: We thoroughly clean and dry the surface of the tooth.
Etching: A special solution is applied to the tooth to prepare it for the sealant, ensuring it bonds securely.
Application: The sealant material is painted onto the grooves of the tooth.
Curing: A special light is used to harden the sealant, bonding it firmly to the tooth in just a few seconds.

Once the sealant is in place, your child can chew and eat normally. With proper care, dental sealants can last for several years, and we will check their condition at every routine visit. If a sealant comes off or needs a touch-up, we can easily replace or repair it.

Dental sealants are an excellent investment in your child's oral health, providing an extra shield that significantly reduces their risk of developing cavities in their back teeth. Ask us at your child's next visit if sealants are a good option for them!

Our Pediatric Dental Services

Children’s Dental Cleanings

Give Your Child a Healthy Start: Our Savannah children's dental practice, following the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines, encourages a first visit by age one. Regular cleanings and check-ups are key to developing healthy teeth and gums, and that's our specialty.

Children’s General Anesthesia

Anxious Child's Dental Visit? We understand dental visits can be stressful for some children. Our oral sedation services are provided through Candler Hospital or St. Joseph’s/Candler Ambulatory Surgical Center. Contact us to learn more about this option.

Children’s Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride, a natural mineral in food and water, prevents tooth decay by strengthening enamel against bacteria. We offer fluoride treatments for good dental hygiene. Since decay starts early, children and teens will benefit most for healthy teeth now and in the future.

Children’s Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings applied to children's chewing surfaces to prevent cavities. They block germs in hard-to-clean grooves, significantly reducing tooth decay risk. This simple and effective treatment provides an extra layer of defense for young smiles.

Children’s Oral Crowns

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps used to cover and strengthen teeth that are weak, broken, or too decayed for fillings. They restore a tooth's shape and appearance and are bonded with dental cement. We recommend crowns for children only when essential for long-term tooth health.

Emergency Dental Care

Severe pain, knocked-out or broken teeth, swelling, or bleeding are pediatric dental emergencies needing immediate, gentle care. Our team offers prompt diagnosis and treatment to restore your child's oral health. Contacting us quickly helps their smile's outcome.

Build a healthier smile today!

Give your child the gift of a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Our friendly and experienced pediatric dental team is ready to welcome your family. Contact us today for your child’s first dentist consultation! We'll take the time to understand your child's unique needs, answer all your questions, and create a positive and comfortable introduction to dental care.

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