Dental Sealants

Dental Sealants Pediatric Dentists Hudsonville MI

Is your child prone to getting cavities? If so, you may want to ask our Hudsonville family dentist about getting dental sealants. These thin, protective coatings are painted onto the chewing surface of your child’s back teeth and work by covering the deep grooves and divots where plaque likes to hide. Sealants also help stop food particles from sticking to teeth.

Learn more about why the application of dental sealants is great for your child’s smile below.

Benefits of Dental Sealants for Children

Tooth sealants are a safe, effective, and proactive way to approach cavity prevention. These thin, BPA-free coatings are applied to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars, where fine crevices often trap food particles and bacteria. Sealants act as a protective shield, preventing plaque buildup in these hard-to-reach areas and reducing the risk of decay by up to 80%. This simple, non-invasive treatment gives parents peace of mind and helps children maintain healthy smiles.

Another advantage of dental sealants is how quick and comfortable the application process is. The procedure requires no drilling or numbing, making it ideal for children who might experience some level of dental anxiety. Sealants are completely safe, durable, and can last several years with proper care. By adding this extra layer of protection to your child’s teeth, you’re giving them a strong foundation for lifelong oral health.

What Your Child Can Expect

Applying dental sealants is a straightforward process and can be broken down into 4 distinct stages:

  1. Cleaning: The tooth is thoroughly cleaned to ensure the sealant adheres properly.
  2. Preparation: The tooth surface is prepared with a special solution to help the sealant bond to the enamel.
  3. Application: The sealant material is then painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly and hardens. In this step, our dentist will use a special curing light to help the sealant “set”.
  4. Evaluation: After application, we will evaluate the sealant to ensure it has set correctly and the tooth is fully protected.

All in all, it doesn’t take long for our dentist to put on dental sealants and the entire procedure should only last a few minutes. Once the sealant has become a hard plastic coating, your child is free to chew on the tooth and go about their day!

How to Care for Sealants

Your child will still need to brush and floss their teeth every day to keep cavities away in addition to receiving a professional teeth cleaning every 6 months. While sealants help prevent cavities on the chewing surface, they aren’t a magical solution and don’t cover the sides of your child’s teeth or protect their gums.

If your child has difficulty brushing teeth for long enough, our family dentist recommends you try singing a song or telling a short story to help pass the time. Combined with good oral hygiene habits, sealants will help your child maintain a healthy smile for years to come.

Ask About Dental Sealants Today

Our children’s dentist in Hudsonville, MI, may recommend dental sealants to protect your child’s oral health. To schedule an appointment for your child, call Hudsonville Dental Kids today at (616) 209-4039 or contact us online.

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