Why Dental Sealants Play an Important Part in Protecting Your Child’s Teeth New Rochelle, NY
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 Zen Dentistry Westchester in New Rochelle and the surrounding area. Call us at (914) 826-8363 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.”
Diet and Cavities
Contrary to popular belief, good oral hygiene is not all there is to maintaining a healthy mouth. Diet is also an integral part of one's dental health. Since the body is a series of interrelated systems, anything that affects one's overall health can also affect the health of their teeth and gums.
In particular, excessive sugar consumption can put one at risk for tooth decay, the leading preventable chronic childhood disease. This disease may occur when plaque comes into contact with sugar in the mouth. It is also essential for patients to eat a balanced diet. A diet lacking in certain nutrients may make the tissues in the mouth more vulnerable to infection and contribute to gum disease.
“Since the body is a series of interrelated systems, anything that affects one’s overall health can also affect the health of their teeth and gums.”
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. Zen Dentistry Westchester 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. How do sealants compensate for poor oral hygiene?
Q. What are the financial benefits of dental sealants?
Q. How can my child benefit from dental sealants?
Q. What foods can cause cavities?
Q. What difference do dental sealants make?
People Also Ask
Q. How can a person's diet help with tooth decay?
Q. What's the right age to get sealants?
Q. Beyond regular checkups, what additional procedures might a dentist recommend?
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Q. What behavioral techniques do kid-friendly dentists use?
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Sealants Prevent Common Dental Concerns
Preventive dentistry can help ensure a healthy mouth for years to come. A preventative measure may also save time and discomfort later on. Filling cavities and repairing tooth decay is often painful or uncomfortable. Restoring the damage can be a financial strain and a source of significant stress. Each minor filling causes stress or trauma to the gums and causes further complications over time.
An in-office sealant procedure can save time and trouble later on. It takes less than an hour to apply sealants. If a patient dislikes dentist visits, this procedure can limit the amount of time they spend in the dentist's chair throughout their life.
“Restoring the damage can be a financial strain and a source of significant stress.”
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 Zen Dentistry Westchester in New Rochelle help you explore the benefits of dental sealants. Call us at 914-826-8363 to schedule an appointment with a qualified dentist.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2025
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2025
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2025
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