Dental sealants are a great way to protect your child’s teeth. By having a children’s dentist in Eastlake apply a sealant to the molars, you can help your child prevent cavities and other dental problems. Sealants are easy to apply and very affordable, making them an excellent option for parents who want to keep their children’s teeth healthy. Drs. Michael Foust and Cecile Macatangay of Eastlake Family Dentistry encourage Chula Vista, CA area parents to ask them about the benefits of dental sealants for children.
What is the procedure for applying dental sealants?
A dental sealant is a thin protective layer that covers the deep grooves in your child’s molars (the teeth towards the back of the mouth). This protective coating helps smooth areas where deep crevices may exist to prevent cavities. When you take your child in for their regular dentist appointment, they will apply the sealant if needed.
There are 3 steps involved in applying a dental sealant:
• First, your child’s dentist will clean off any plaque or debris on the tooth. Then they will dry the tooth with compressed air or gauze.
• Second, they will brush on a unique liquid adhesive onto the tooth and let it sit for about one minute.
• Third, the dentist will check to ensure that the sealant has adhered well.
The entire dental sealant process takes less than five minutes. Once your child’s molars have been sealed, they should be protected from cavities until they get their adult teeth in. However, after a sealant has been applied, you must still make sure that your child brushes and flosses regularly so that food particles and plaque can’t build up underneath or between the sealants. Therefore, it is not a replacement for good oral health habits at home between dental appointments.
The benefits of dental sealants for your child
Applying sealants can help you protect your children from future dental issues. For example, if any early cavities found are left untreated in baby teeth, it can cause infection in the gums, impacting the roots of permanent teeth when they start to grow in. Cavities in permanent teeth can result in pain or even loss of these adult teeth. Sealants are long-lasting and provide excellent protection against tooth decay affordably and effectively. They smooth the crevices in the molars to make it easier to brush the teeth and keep food particles from remaining on the surfaces of the molars. This, in turn, reduces the risk of cavities. These affordable options are long-lasting and can be applied as needed by dental professionals at Eastlake Family Dentistry.
Affordability of dental sealants for children
Dental sealants are very affordable and can usually be completed on a same-day basis. The average cost of dental sealant treatment is around $75 per molar area. However, if you have dental insurance, it may cover dental sealants for your child or at least reduce the out-of-pocket costs. It also helps parents to understand the cost of dental sealants when compared to the cost of restoring a tooth that has developed decay. Prevention is often the most effective solution when compared to a more reactive response to dentistry versus proactive.
How do I learn more about dental sealants in the Eastlake area?
Drs. Michael Foust and Cecile Macatangay of Eastlake Family Dentistry can help parents determine if dental sealants would benefit their children. Chula Vista, CA area families can call (619) 421-2828 to request an appointment with our team, located at the Village Walk Medical Center at 890 Eastlake Parkway, Suite #201. We are open to new and returning patients and families in the community and surrounding areas.
