Why Dental Sealants Play an Important Part in Protecting Your Child’s Teeth Douglasville, GA
Dental sealants cannot prevent all cavities but they help protect children's teeth to reduce the risk of frequent cavities. Proper oral hygiene remains essential, and routine brushing and flossing keep a child's mouth clean. While tooth decay is a common problem, many childhood cavities are preventable.
Dental sealants protect a child's molars by sealing up cracks and crevices. During a sealant treatment, our team applies a special gel. This gel secures onto tooth enamel and hardens into a protective layer. Dental sealant guards the tooth against future decay.
Dental sealants are available at Douglasville Dental Associates in Douglasville and the surrounding area. Call us at (770) 746-8683 to schedule an appointment.
Why Dental Sealants
According to the American Dental Association, brushing and flossing are the "best ways to help prevent cavities." Unfortunately, however, it is not always easy for children to reach certain areas of the mouth. This is especially true when it comes to molars or the back teeth used for chewing.
Due to the molar's location in the mouth and their rough, uneven texture, they are a common gathering place for leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria. Luckily, dental sealants can help. Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the molars. They are particularly beneficial for children with gaps in between the teeth.
“Due to their location in the mouth and their rough, uneven texture, molars are a common gathering place for leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria.”
Sealants Can Stand Up to Sugary and Sticky Foods
As many parents are aware, kids are fond of cavity-forming foods. Sugary and acidic foods and beverages are a big hit with most kids. Children also love sticky foods like toffees, taffies, and gummy candies.
These foods attach onto teeth, and they can be difficult to brush away. Good oral hygiene is not always enough to sweep away the remains of sugary foods. As bacteria feast on sugar, these treats can set your child up for future cavities. Sealants help provide an added defense in the most vulnerable parts of a child's mouth.
“Sealants help provide an added defense in the most vulnerable parts of a child’s mouth.”
Sealants Help Compensate for Poor Brushing
It can be difficult for children to keep up with their oral hygiene. Many children skip their morning tooth-brushing or forget to floss at night. Busy parents may not notice that their children are cutting corners. But over time, skipping brushing or flossing can lead to serious dental problems.
Sealants are not a replacement for regular brushing and flossing, but they make it harder for bacteria and food to penetrate the enamel. They buy your child a little extra time to catch up with their oral hygiene. Dental sealants offer support to busy families with hectic schedules.
“Sealants are not a replacement for regular brushing and flossing, but they make it harder for bacteria and food to penetrate the enamel.”
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The Difference Dental Sealants Make
As stated by the American Dental Association, dental sealants have been proven to reduce a child's risk of tooth decay in the molars by almost 80%. Plus, a 2016 report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that "school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants."
Dental sealants often last for several years before needing to be reapplied. Douglasville Dental Associates can check the condition of the dental sealant during a regular checkup and reapply them as needed. As such, patients can think of them as a worthy investment to make in their dental health.
“Dental sealants also often last for several years before needing to be reapplied.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. Can sealants protect against cavity-forming bacteria?
Q. How do sealants compensate for poor oral hygiene?
Q. How can my child benefit from dental sealants?
Q. What difference do dental sealants make?
Q. How can dental sealants help save me money?
People Also Ask
Q. What treatments does a kid friendly dentist provide?
Q. What's the right age to get sealants?
Prevention vs. Reaction
Dental sealants are one of the most popular preventative dentistry treatments available on the market. According to a recent report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the painless procedure prevents 80% of cavities for two years after application and protects against 50% of cavities for up to four years. They can also remain in the mouth for as long as nine years.
By preventing decay, dental sealants also effectively prevent the patient from undergoing any unnecessary, costly procedures. In fact, the CDC report found that applying sealants to approximately seven million children from low-income households could save up to a total of $300 million in dental treatment costs.
“By preventing decay, dental sealants also effectively prevent the patient from undergoing any unnecessary, costly procedures.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What makes dental sealants better than fillings?
A. Some parents balk at the upfront cost of dental sealants, deciding it would be a better choice to pay for their children's dental fillings as necessary. However, tooth decay comes with permanent damage that weakens the teeth. It also makes the teeth more susceptible to further damage. Dental sealants can help protect the teeth's natural coating.
Q. Can dental sealants replace fluoride treatments?
A. No. Dental sealants work best in conjunction with fluoride treatments, as they cannot promote tooth remineralization the way fluoride does. Together, the two can strengthen the teeth against decay.
Q. What is a dental cavity?
A. Cavities, or dental decay, are permanent holes in the teeth. If left untreated, cavities can grow larger and become infected. They occur most often in the grooves of the back teeth.
Q. What do dental sealants look like?
A. Dental sealants typically cannot be seen when your child is talking or smiling. They may be white, clear, or slightly tinted. In any case, they are designed to be discreet.
Q. When is the best time for my child to get dental sealants?
A. Dental sealants are the most effective when applied soon after permanent molars have emerged. For most children, this occurs around age six for the first molars and age 12 for the second set.
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Call Us Today
Sealants can reduce your child's lifetime risk of cavities. Dental sealants offer a peace of mind for busy parents and help prevent future dental problems for their children. Let Douglasville Dental Associates in Douglasville help you explore the benefits of dental sealants. Call us at 770-746-8683 to schedule an appointment with a qualified dentist.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2026
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2026
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2026
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