Dental Sealants in Houston, TX

At Made Ya Smile Spring Cypress, we want your whole family to benefit from a healthy, comfortable smile. It is important to prevent cavities in kids to help them get the healthy start they need. Dental sealants are typically recommended by our dentist to reduce the risk of tooth decay on the back teeth. Sealants are mostly recommended for children, but in some cases, teens and adults may benefit from this preventive treatment. A tooth-colored or white thin material, dental sealants fill the grooves (pits and fissures) of premolar and molar teeth, smoothing out the chewing surfaces where tooth decay often occurs. This treatment keeps food, plaque, and bacteria from sticking to the teeth, and can reduce the chance of cavity formation. This can go a long way toward protecting your child's oral health and prevent the need for more extensive treatment down the road. As an integral part of preventive care in children, sealants can serve your child's smile for several years if they take care of them well. For a reduced risk of cavities and a smile your child will continue to enjoy, call us today to schedule your family's next consultation with our dentist in Houston, TX.

Childhood and adolescence are the periods when the molar and premolar teeth are most at risk for tooth decay. Difficult to clean with a toothbrush, the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth naturally tend to collect bacteria, food, and plaque, fostering an environment in which bacteria can thrive and cause cavities. By blocking out debris through filling the grooves of the teeth, dental sealants can prevent tooth decay. Many patients can benefit from sealants, but typically they are recommended by our dentist for kids ages 6-12. A simple, easy procedure, sealants generally are placed on teeth that are fully erupted, lack fillings or other restorations, and are cavity-free.

When your child arrives for their dental cleaning, our dentist will check their teeth for problems like tooth decay. If we notice the presence of cavities or other concerns, we may recommend other treatment to solve existing problems. If no problems are present, we may place your child's sealants during that visit or schedule you to come back on another day if it is more convenient for your schedule. Prior to the placement of sealants, the chewing surfaces will be cleaned with a paste and special liquid that prepares the enamel to allows the sealants to adhere to the teeth. We will then rinse and dry the teeth in order to apply the sealant material, which is a liquid that flows easily into the grooves of the teeth. Our special light hardens, or sets, the sealants individually in a process that takes 20-30 seconds per tooth. After the sealants are placed, we will check your child's bite to make sure they are comfortable and talk with them about how to care for their new sealants over the next few days.

The sealant process is typically quick, easy, and pleasant. For the best start, we recommend a few rules to follow for the first few days after your child receives their protective coating for their teeth. It is important to avoid eating sticky or hard foods like chewing gum, candy, or ice (which we always advise against) just after the placement of sealants. Eating these foods can damage the sealants or dislodge them from the teeth. Proper home care including thorough brushing and flossing on a daily basis is the best way to care for sealants. Though sealants can effectively support your child in the fight against cavities, it is still important to schedule bi-annual cleanings and exam visits with our team at Made Ya Smile Spring Cypress. During their visit, we will check on your child's sealants to let you know if they need to be redone or repaired.

Insurance plans often cover dental sealants for young patients up to a certain age. To find out more about your child's coverage, we will contact your provider and review your schedule of benefits. We accept several flexible payment options, like special low- or no-interest patient financing plans. If you have out-of-pocket costs, we will be happy to work with you to find a solution for your child's treatment

Does getting a sealant hurt?
The process of getting dental sealants should not hurt. The process involves brushing a gel onto the teeth, so there is no drilling, shots, or anything discomforting associated with this quick procedure.

How long do dental sealants last?
Dental sealants last about 10 years. Our Houston, TX dentists urge you to maintain your routine dental appointments and home hygiene routine to maintain the health of your mouth.

Can I brush my teeth afterward?
Yes! After getting your dental sealants, you can continue your normal oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing.

Dental sealants are a quick and easy procedure that can help protect your family's smiles from cavities. Tooth enamel sealants from our experienced Houston, TX team are a preventive measure that cover the chewing surfaces of molar and premolar teeth to help block out food, plaque, and bacteria. Opting for this simple solution now can reduce the risk that fillings or other restorations will be needed in the future. Find out if sealants are the right choice for your family by scheduling a visit with our dentist at Made Ya Smile Spring Cypress.