Skip to main content

What Are Dental Sealants? Should My Children Get Them?

Greetings and Salutations,

A question came up today from a patient. I thought it would make a GREAT topic for this week. The questions was:

"Can you tell me more about dental sealants? Can my kid have them?"

It's a common question, that frankly, doesn't get enough attention. Sealants are a thin plastic coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Usually, not always though, sealants are placed on back teeth. Sealants quickly bond to groves and depressions in the teeth which is then used as the protective shield. It helps prevent decay from starting in those hard to get areas.

For children, it is very common for kids to be evaluated between the ages of 6 and 14. Placing sealants at these ages can help prevent cavities. OH BUT WAIT! They aren't just for children though. Adults can benefit from sealants. The only thing is; it gets tricky when it comes to insurance.

Most of the time, sealants are a covered benefit---but only for children between those ages. Some insurance companies have age requirements that are group specific, so its best to talk to the front office, (because NO ONE wants to call their insurance) and find out if you have coverage. Unfortunately, most policies do not cover sealants for adults. So, more than likely you would have to pay out of pocket for those services. However, it can be cheaper than getting a nasty cavity!

How long do they last?

In ideal situations,  we hope to get 10 years of protection from sealants. However, children need to be checked regularly for chipping or wearing down of the teeth. Personally, I replace sealants if I feel it may be time to replace them, not by the duration of time the sealants have been there.

How do I know if my kids should get them?

You can make an appointment for your child or children to be evaluated soon, or they can be evaluated at their next cleaning. In the mean time, don't "seal" up that conversation! (I love those puns....) Keep the dialogue open and stay healthy!

Smiles,

Dr. E

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Inbox: PPO, HMO, EPO, DMO; What’s the difference?

Hello Everyone,  From my email:  My insurance is ending this month. There are so many policies out there..., can you please tell me what to get? What's the difference? KNM, Lafeyette, CA. More and more, insurance companies are being selective in the policies that they offer to patients. First, let me take a minute to let you know the difference between PPO, HMO, EPO, DMO, … UGH… it can be frustrating, I know. So, let’s go through them— 1)       HMO: Health Maintenance Organization . With a HMO plan, your insurance company might require you to pick a dental care provider. All, or most of your services, must go through that provider. Visits to offices that take PPO only will most likely not be covered by your insurance. 2 )       PPO: Preferred Provider Organization PPO Dental offices, such as Oak Grove Dental, give you flexibility. You can most likely choose the dental care provider that bes...
1 comment
Read more

Thumb-sucking & Pacifiers: What to Expect as a Parent

Thumb-sucking & Pacifiers: What to Expect as a Parent Hello Friends, Family, and Patients! With so many of my friends, family, and patients expecting a baby this year, I thought it would be exceptionally helpful to give everyone some advice on thumb-sucking and pacifiers. Before you get the urge to slap me for telling you how to parent you kids, don’t worry, this is not that kind of message. It is just a bit about the facts about both categories. Thumb-sucking is a natural reflex for children. It can provide a sense of security and happiness while our bright little ones explore the world. Typically, as parents we notice that thumb-sucking and pacifier use can help our little ones when our little guys, or girls, fall asleep. The question is, really, how can this affect my child’s teeth in the long-run. Here’s the skinny: After a child’s permanent teeth come in, sucking on those fingers can cause problems with the alignment in their mouth. Teeth can grow in a di...
Post a Comment
Read more

Every SIX Months? Why Preventive Dentistry is SO Important!

Every SIX Months? Why Preventive Dentistry is SO Important! Preventive dentistry is by far the best medicine for your oral health. Maintaining great oral health is essential for preventing dental issues from occurring rather than treatment when they arise. The thing is, regular brushing and regular flossing (the proper way...) drastically reduces risk of developing oral disease and necessary restorative treatment. An important thing to remember is that while many people make it a point to brush twice a day, the duration for which they brush is often less than a minute. Most dentists in the bay area, including myself, recommend that a person should brush for at least two minutes. If a patient see a dentist every six months, most dental problems can be avoided. Therefore, it is important to visit a dentist every six months to detect any problems while they are at a nascent stage. As some of you may know, night guards, especially is you are grinding at night, can prevent damage to ...
Post a Comment
Read more