Brushing and flossing are important for your child’s smile, but the deep grooves in their back teeth can be difficult to clean. Dental sealants add a protective layer over these areas to help keep food particles and cavity-causing bacteria out.
At The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix, we offer dental sealants for kids as part of a preventive approach to oral health. Protecting a tooth before a cavity develops can help your child avoid more involved treatment later.
We proudly accept AHCCCS and many other dental insurance plans. Call (602) 975-5253 or request an appointment online to find out whether sealants are right for your child.
Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth, especially the back teeth called molars. The material flows into small pits and grooves and hardens into a barrier over the enamel.
These grooves can trap food and bacteria even when children make an effort to brush well. Bacteria use sugars from food and drinks to produce acids that can weaken tooth enamel. Molar sealants help protect the chewing surfaces where this damage can begin.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sealants applied soon after permanent molars erupt can prevent up to 80% of cavities for two years and continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to four years. They work alongside daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits.
Applying a sealant is a quick, noninvasive process that usually does not require drilling or numbing. We’ll examine your child’s teeth first to confirm which surfaces would benefit and check for decay.
The application typically involves these steps:
Sealants can often be placed during a single visit. We’ll explain what to expect and help your child stay comfortable throughout the appointment.
Sealants may help stop selected areas of very early decay from progressing when a hole has not yet formed. An established cavity may need a tooth-colored filling or another restoration instead. We’ll examine the tooth and recommend treatment based on the extent of the decay.
A sealant does not make a tooth immune to future decay. Regular checkups allow us to monitor both the protective coating and the tooth underneath.
Sealants often last several years, and some can remain effective for up to nine years. Their condition matters more than a fixed replacement date. We’ll check for wear or loss during your child’s visits and repair or reapply a sealant when needed.
A good time to ask about sealants is when your child’s permanent molars begin to come in. First permanent molars usually appear around age six, and second permanent molars around age 12. Applying sealants soon after these teeth erupt helps protect them early.
Some children may also benefit from sealants on baby teeth. We’ll consider the tooth’s grooves, your child’s cavity risk, and how well we can keep the tooth dry during placement before making a recommendation.
No. Sealants protect selected tooth surfaces, so your child still needs to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth daily. Regular dental checkups and cleanings also remain important.
Sealants and fluoride work in different ways: a sealant provides a physical barrier over grooves, while fluoride helps strengthen enamel. Your child’s dentist can explain how both fit into their preventive care.
Sealants are usually clear, white, or tooth-colored. Because they are thin and generally placed on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, they are not usually noticeable when your child talks or smiles.
Dental sealants are widely used in preventive dentistry and are considered safe for most children. Let us know about any known material allergies or previous reactions to dental treatment so we can discuss the products we use and your child’s needs.
Once the sealant has set, children can generally eat and drink normally. We’ll let you know if the material used or any other treatment performed during the visit calls for different instructions.
The cost of dental sealants depends on how many teeth are treated and your child’s insurance benefits. We’ll explain the recommended care and expected costs before treatment. Preventing cavities can also help reduce the need for fillings or more extensive dental work later.
The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix accepts AHCCCS, and sealants may be covered as part of your child’s preventive dental care. Our benefit coordinators can help verify your child’s eligibility, plan requirements, and coverage for the recommended teeth before treatment.
We also accept many other dental insurance plans and can help explain benefits, file claims, and review any out-of-pocket costs. Call (602) 975-5253 if you have questions about insurance or payment options.
A small step today can help protect your child’s teeth as they grow. At The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix, we’ll help you understand their cavity risk and whether dental sealants would be a useful addition to their care.
Call (602) 975-5253 to schedule a visit, or request an appointment online. You can also contact us with questions about sealants, AHCCCS, or your child’s dental health.
