What did the dentist see at the North Pole? … A molar bear! (Haha!)
All jokes aside, molars — those large, flat teeth in the very back of our mouths — are super important when it comes to chewing our food. And because of their shape and position, they can also be super difficult to keep clean and healthy. In fact, the first molars, which usually appear around the age of 6, are the teeth most likely to get a cavity in a person’s lifetime.
At Rockland Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics, we often recommend pediatric dental sealants to help keep these teeth cavity-free.
How Can Dental Sealants Help Keep My Child’s Smile Healthy
Molars have a bumpy surface that is great for grinding food — and is also a great hiding place for leftover food bits and cavity-causing bacteria. Brushing and flossing are the best ways to keep teeth healthy, but when it comes to molars, another layer of protection can be a big help.
Dental sealants are a thin coating made from plastic and other dental materials that is painted onto the chewing surface of the back teeth. The sealants keep out the bits of food, bacteria and acid that lead to cavities. The CDC reports that sealants prevent 80% of cavities on back teeth!
It is a good idea to seal teeth soon after they emerge, so be sure to talk to our pediatric dentists about sealants around the time that first molars (age 6-7) and second molars (age 12) appear. In some cases, dpending on the depth of crevices, baby molars may be candidates for sealants as well.
What Can We Expect From A Dental Sealant Procedure?
The process to apply a dental sealant is quick and painless Some young children might find it a bit uncomfortable to hold their mouths open for a long period.
After the dentist cleans and dries the tooth, they will apply a special gel, which creates a rough surface on the tooth so that the sealant will stick. The dentist will then rinse off the gel and dry the tooth again before painting on the sealant. A special blue light is used to cure, or harden, the sealant.
Teeth and sealants can be brushed as usual and should be checked at each dental appointment. With proper care, dental sealants can last for several years, offering those molars excellent protection from cavities. To make sure sealants last a long time, it is helpful to avoid stickky foods such as taffy and similar candies.
Make An Appointment
Give us a call at 845-634-8900 to find out if dental sealants in New City, New York, might be a good solution for your child’s growing smile and make an appointment with Dr. Dorit Hermann, Dr. Anne Chaly or Dr. Clarissa Marcovich!