Protect Their Teeth with Sealants

When are sealants recommended?

Sealants are made of a flowable liquid plastic material and are applied directly into the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of your teeth, and then hardened with a special blue light. Sealants provide protection against the accumulation of bacteria and plaque in the grooves of the teeth, where most cavities develop. 

We recommend applying sealants to back teeth, which can be the most difficult to reach when brushing and are more vulnerable to tooth decay because of their deep grooves. Sealants are most effective when applied to a child’s permanent molars once they fully erupt.

How long do sealants last?

Typically, sealants offer protection for 3-5 years. During your child’s routine dental checkups, we check each sealant to make sure they are still performing optimally and will recommend replacement if necessary. Patients can extend the lifespan of sealants by refraining from chewing on ice cubes, popcorn kernels or other extremely hard foods.

If your child is around the age of 6 or 12 (the ages when first and second permanent molars erupt), then it is most likely time to have sealants placed. Protecting teeth from cavities during childhood and teenage years (the years that most cavities form), will set up your child for a lifetime of excellent dental health.

To learn more about our preventative dentistry services, contact our office and request a consultation.

Advanced Dentistry of Amarillo is proud to serve patients in Amarillo, Canyon, Dalhart and the surrounding Texas Panhandle.