Dental Sealants For Children In Valencia, CA

The chewing surfaces of our molars naturally contain little pits, grooves and fissures. Because these areas can be narrow and very difficult for toothbrushes to reach, plaque and bacteria may remain there even when your child is brushing regularly.

Permanent teeth are also still developing when they first erupt, so preventative dental care is especially important during childhood! Applying a dental sealant to these susceptible surfaces can help create a smoother area that is much easier to keep clean while adding protection against tooth decay.

During your child’s regular dental visits, we will be sure to examine their teeth and determine whether sealants may be beneficial based on their individual oral health and risk for cavities.

Dental sealants for children are a quick and straightforward process! First, our team will make sure to clean the tooth and ensure that the surface is dry. A special solution then gets applied to prepare the chewing surface so the sealant can bond securely to the tooth.

After the tooth is prepared, the sealant is then carefully placed into the grooves and pits of the tooth, we then use a special curing light to harden the material. Once the sealant has set, the tooth is ready to function normally.

Because the process does not require removing tooth structure or drilling into the tooth, dental sealants for children are generally a comfortable preventative treatment, as well!

Dental sealants for children are most commonly recommended when their permanent molars erupt. A child’s first permanent molars generally appear around age six, while the second permanent molars typically erupt around age twelve. Protecting these teeth soon after they emerge can help provide additional protection during years when children may be particularly susceptible to cavities.

However, not every child will need sealants on every tooth. We can evaluate your child’s teeth during routine dental visits and determine whether sealants are an appropriate part of their preventative care.

The timing of dental sealants is very dependent on your child’s individual dental development. Because the first and second permanent molars commonly erupt around ages six and twelve, these can be important times to discuss sealants with us to ensure proper timing of treatment.

Having your child’s teeth examined regularly allows our team to monitor newly erupted teeth and identify areas that may benefit from additional protection as quickly as possible. If we determine that your child is at increased risk for cavities or has especially deep grooves in their molars, we will be sure to discuss whether sealants are right for them.

Dental sealants for children are only one small part of maintaining your child’s healthy smile. Children should still continue brushing twice a day, flossing regularly and visiting us for routine checkups. Sealants can make certain tooth surfaces easier to protect, but maintaining good oral hygiene is still always essential. During your child’s visits, our team can also provide age-appropriate guidance to help your child develop habits that support their oral health as they grow.

At Valencia Smiles Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, we want parents to feel confident and informed about the preventative dental care their children receive. Here are answers to some common questions about sealants.

Sealants can be a very simple yet effective way to give your child’s smile additional protection against cavities, especially set in the deep grooves of their back teeth. At Valencia Smiles Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, our team can monitor your child’s developing smile and recommend preventive treatments based on their own individual needs.

If you are interested in learning whether dental sealants are right for your child, request a pediatric dentistry appointment with our caring team in Valencia, CA! We greatly look forward to meeting you and helping your child build healthy dental habits to maintain a strong, healthy smile as they grow.