Do Dental Sealants for Kids Really Work?

A child’s smile is the best source of pure joy. As a parent, you go the extra mile to protect their smile by encouraging them to brush and floss daily to avoid cavities. However, no matter how well you care for your child’s teeth, the teeth are still prone to decay. This is because deep grooves and pits in the molars attract bacteria and food debris. Dental sealants are just what you need to protect those areas from plaque and acids that can cause cavities. But do they provide long-lasting protection? Let us examine how dental sealants work and their benefits for children.

How Do Sealants Stop Children From Getting Cavities?

A dental sealant is a thin, protective coating made up of plastic material with a protective layer on the chewing part of children’s back teeth to protect against cavities. Dental sealants for children are meant to protect these vulnerable areas from decay.

Applying dental sealants starts with dentists cleaning the tooth thoroughly to remove any debris on the teeth. After this, an etching solution is placed on the tooth's surface, producing micro-abrasions to improve sealant adhesion. After the tooth is rinsed and dried, this liquid plastic, called the sealant, is painted on the tooth. This liquid flows to the natural grooves and fissures where food particles and bacteria collect. The sealant is then hardened with a curing light to create a durable layer over the enamel. This shield is a physical cover that blocks food, germs, and acid from entering the tooth’s natural holes. The sealant is designed to withstand the rigors of daily chewing but does require a checkup with the dentist to monitor its condition.

If the sealant chips or scratches, it can be reapplied at any time. The process is quick, painless, and does not involve invasive techniques like drilling. To prevent teeth from decaying, dentists place sealants on the teeth most prone to decay so that the child’s teeth remain protected.

Dental sealants work well to help children not get tooth decay. The CDC observes sealants can lower the risk of decay by nearly 80% in the first two years after they are placed on the chewing surfaces of molars. Studies observed that sealants can prevent about half (50%) of decay four years after the original application.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data further showed that among children ages 6 to 11 without sealants, cavity development in molars occurs nearly three times more than among children with sealants. School-based sealant programs have produced impressive results. According to the CDC, sealant prevalence increased by 35%, which shows that sealants work best when offered in a community setting.

However, the success rate does not depend solely on the sealants. The quality of sealants placed by the dentist is important. Equally important is maintenance through regular dental checkups to ensure sealants are intact. Moreover, a child’s oral hygiene habits, like brushing and flossing, are crucial to overall dental health, even with sealants.

The Benefits Dental Sealants Offer

Dental sealants provide several benefits to children, including:

Cavity prevention — A sealant coats the grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where cavities often start due to the accumulation of food particles and other debris. That would mean a reduced likelihood of a cavity. Children with a cavity-causing diet, poor brushing habits, and/or genetics may benefit from preventive sealants, which work before cavities develop.
It is a non-invasive procedure — The application is painless, there is no drilling, and no part of the tooth is removed. Children find it less intimidating.
Long-lasting protection — Dental sealants can protect your child’s chipped, broken, or misaligned teeth with proper dental care. This simple and affordable treatment works to shield your child’s teeth from damage by decay-causing bacteria.
Cost savings — By helping to prevent cavities, sealants can save you from having to pay for expensive treatments like fillings and crowns in the future.
They are easy to maintain — Sealants do not interfere with day-to-day oral care but give you an additional defense against decay in addition to regular brushing and flossing. They are used for areas where routine brushing and flossing prove to be less effective in difficult-to-reach areas.
Protects teeth from sensitivity — They can help protect some children's teeth from sensitivity. The enamel is shielded from acid and bacteria.
Promotes good dental habits — Knowing that there is an extra layer of protection can encourage children to continue or improve brushing and flossing. A second layer of coverage helps kids practice good oral hygiene habits.
Aesthetic appeal — Sealants maintain or even enhance the teeth' appearance because they are clear or tooth-colored. This contributes to a child's confidence in their smile

Moreover, sealants are not just for children. Adults can benefit from sealants, too. Adults may want to consider sealants if they have deep grooves in their molars, have a history of decay, or take drugs that lessen the flow of saliva, thus increasing the risk of developing cavities.

Children can have their sealants put in as soon as their permanent molars emerge. This is usually at age 6 for the first molars and 12 for the second. A sealant is sometimes placed on a primary (baby) tooth if the grooves are deep and could harbor decay.

How Much Do Dental Sealants Cost in Northridge?

Dental sealant cost varies. Usually, it costs anywhere between $30 and $60 for each tooth without insurance. However, this usually depends on the number of teeth, the dental provider, and the application complexity. Nevertheless, this scenario changes a lot with insurance. Most dental insurance plans, especially for children, classify sealants as preventive and cover them at 100% to a certain age, mostly 16 years. That means you will not have to pay out of pocket if your insurance plan has this benefit.

Insurance plans may or may not cover adult sealants. Some may receive partial coverage, while others may have a discount. Check with your insurance provider for the exact details of your coverage. If you enrolled in dental insurance through Covered California, pediatric dental coverage includes sealants at no extra cost. Insurers vary based on whether the policy covers preventive care for adults or children.

For accurate cost information with insurance, contact your dental insurer directly to confirm specifics like coverage for sealants, deductibles, co-payments, or waiting periods. You can also contact your dentist, who will give you a quote on the cost estimates. They may even give you a pre-treatment estimate to submit to your insurance for approval.

Consider shopping around at dental clinics in your area, as they may have differing rates or promotions. Insurance does not always mean your bill will be paid in full. However, an in-network provider can save money through discounted or negotiated rates. If sealants are not covered by insurance, consider using flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs), which are available to help cover the cost.

Risks Associated With Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a well-established preventive treatment against decay, but they come with certain risks, like any dental procedure. Some include the following:

Bisphenol A (BPA) concerns — Certain tooth coatings have a chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA), which can interfere with anything in your body that has an endocrine function. While the ADA (American Dental Association) and many health professionals believe that the amount of BPA in sealants is negligent, some parents may wish to avoid exposure.
Allergic reactions — Some children may be allergic to something inside one of the sealant materials. Variants of expressions can occur along with the skin rashes. They can include swelling or breathing. You should talk to the dentist about your allergies.
Application quality — Sealant works only when a good-quality application is done. Sealants will not cover the entire tooth or could come off prematurely, so the tooth will still decay. The dental professional is key here.
Durability and maintenance — Sealants can wear down or come off over time through regular chewing forces or from biting objects like toys. They need follow-ups at each dental checkup to ensure they are working. When they wear down or come off, they need to be reapplied.
Risk of trapped bacteria — Decay that existed before the sealant was applied or a sealant that does not bond properly runs the risk of sealing in bacteria or moisture, either of which could cause decay to begin underneath the sealant. There's a need for a careful pre-application review.
Psychological impact — Your presence as a parent during procedures can calm your child. If a child has a negative experience at the dentist, it will affect their dental visits in the future.
Cost — Sealants' fees may be prohibitive for some families who lack adequate insurance coverage for this service. This financial reality could lead to not using sealants even though they could save money.

While these risks are usually minor, they still represent potential downsides. Talking about these issues with a child dentist will help the parents make a better choice for their child’s oral health, balancing the benefits against these risks.

Are there Alternatives to Dental Sealants?

Some children are candidates for dental seal treatment, and others are not. Children at high risk due to their diet, genetic factors, or inconsistent oral-care practices can benefit the most from placing sealants on newly erupted permanent molars between the ages of 6 and 12.

However, sealants are not suitable for every child. Sealants free of BPA or resins are hypoallergenic alternatives for children with sealant allergies. Behavioral challenges can also make application difficult if a child has trouble sitting still. In these cases, waiting could be worth it until the child is more willing to have the procedure.

Moreover, if there is decay or fillings, it must be taken care of before applying the sealants. It is preferable to avoid placing sealants on partially erupted teeth due to the importance of moisture control for long-term retention. Sealants are placed on primary teeth selectively or if the child is at high risk of decay.

There are a variety of choices besides sealants to prevent decay. They include:

Fluoride treatments—These treatments strengthen the enamel and are applied during dental office visits to remineralize the start of decay.
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) — This is an anti-decay and preventative remedy that stops decay and prevents new cavities. The drawback is that it causes black stains, a cosmetic concern.
Better oral hygiene — While proper brushing, flossing, and eating habits can help avoid decay, they require consistent effort.
Frequent dental visits — Make sure to visit your dentist regularly. This will allow them to detect and treat decay early on with fluoride or other methods.
Xylitol products — Xylitol gum and candies help reduce cavity-causing bacteria.
Community dental programs — These deliver important preventive services and education alongside treatment to underserved populations.

You should consult a pediatric dentist to see if sealants or other preventive measures are best for your child. With or without sealants, several strategies are tailored to keep your child’s mouth healthy and smile looking good.

Find an Experienced Northridge Dentist Near Me

Dental sealants reduce the chances of decay by nearly 80% in their first year, making them a good option for children. They protect teeth when cavities usually start in the hard-to-reach crevices of molars that brushing and flossing cannot always reach. If you contact an experienced dentist, he/she will explain the procedure in detail and what to expect. Further, the dentists will evaluate if your child is an ideal candidate for dental sealants. All this is aimed at ensuring your child can enjoy sealants' benefits.

When you work with Northridge Advanced Dentistry, you partner with a team concerned about your child’s dental health. We provide a comfortable, child-friendly atmosphere where dental care is practical and fun. It is not just about preventing cavities. It is about promoting a lifetime of healthy smiles. Do not wait for decay to set in. Act now to safeguard your child's future.