We seal the “bad stuff” that threatens your child’s teeth! Sealants for easy, effective cavity protection

Cavity-causing bacteria and plaque thrive off the food particles left behind on your child’s teeth and in their mouth. Mona Dental for Kids in Spring, Texas, uses dental sealants to “seal out” the food and harmful bacterial plaque responsible for cavity formation. 

Cavities are eroded areas or holes in the teeth that arise from progressive tooth decay. Some teeth, such as the molars and premolars at the back of the mouth, are much more likely to develop cavities. In fact, 9 of every 10 cavities form in the back teeth. This toothy truth makes sealants an appropriate professional preventive service to prevent the early loss of vulnerable molars and premolars and the other developmental complications associated with early childhood caries (ECCs).

The sealant process

The grooved, uneven areas called pits and fissures on the surface of the molars and premolars can be challenging to clean thoroughly. Partly, it can be difficult for adults, let alone children with developing motor skills and small mouths, to reach the back teeth for brushing and flossing properly. Likewise, the uneven grooves naturally trap food, bacteria, and sticky plaque. Lastly, these teeth are “out of sight, out of mind.” We tend to skimp on thoroughly and consistently cleaning these teeth, whereas we may naturally be inclined to spend more time on our highly visible front teeth. 

Our kind and talented dentist, Dr. Mona Houshiar, generally recommends the application of sealant material to “6-year” and “12-year” molars. The names of these back teeth are a reference to when these permanent molars first emerge or erupt through the gums (between the ages of, on average, 6 and 7 and 11 and 13). Additionally, depending on your child’s unique needs and risk factors, Dr. Houshiar may also recommend that we place sealants on the premolars in front of the second molars. These teeth typically erupt between the ages of 9 and 13 years. Sealants can be placed on the “primary” or “baby” teeth to further support healthy oral development. These molars generally develop between the ages of 13 and 33 months. 

Sealants are made from a safe, tooth-colored plastic material. The material is quickly painted onto the teeth by our dentist, who later hardens the liquid to ensure the strongest bond and “seal” between the resin and the tooth structure. With good care, sealants can last a long time. But repairs or reapplications can also be easily integrated into regular check-ups. 

Professional preventative services, like sealants, are fundamental to the long-term health of your child’s smile. Call (832) 662-3008 to schedule an appointment at Mona Dental for Kids in Spring, TX.

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