Does Your Child Need Dental Sealants?

Even the most careful brushing can’t prevent cavities in hard-to-reach molars with pits and grooves. “Food and bacteria can get trapped in these teeth,” says pediatric dentist Marsha Gordon, D.D.S., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. One good solution: dental sealants, which smooth out the problem areas. “Sealants significantly reduce the risk for cavities,” Gordon says. Dentists from the hospital are now working with the Greater Lehigh Valley Oral Health Partnership to assess the dental sealant needs of Allentown and Easton children.

Some 90 percent of decay in children’s teeth occurs in tooth surfaces with pits and grooves, researchers have found. Dental sealants protect these at-risk chewing surfaces. They’re often covered by insurance, and they have a proven track record. “Sealants have been used very successfully as a prevention tool for more than 30 years,” Gordon says.

They’re usually applied to a child’s permanent molars, which start to come in around age 6 or 7. The child should have regular checkups after that to make sure the sealants aren’t cracking and developing cavities underneath. If necessary, sealants can be reapplied easily.

Want to Know More about fostering good dental habits in your child? Call 610-402-CARE.

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