When parents discover their child has cavities in those hard-to-reach back teeth, the frustration is real. Despite your best efforts with brushing and flossing reminders, those deep grooves in molars seem to trap food and bacteria no matter what you do.
At ABC Children’s Dentistry in Voorhees, NJ, Dr. Jeffrey Singer and our caring team understand this challenge facing families. With over 20 years of experience creating positive dental experiences, we offer pediatric dental sealants as a proven solution to protect your child’s teeth from decay. Our Voorhees pediatric dentists help families throughout South Jersey maintain healthy smiles in a fun, comfortable environment where children actually look forward to their visits.
What Are Dental Sealants for Children?
Dental sealants are thin, protective plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars, premolars, and any deep grooves of teeth. These children’s dental sealants create a smooth barrier that prevents bacteria and food particles from settling into the deep pits and fissures where more than 75% of dental decay begins.
A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves, creating a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. Pediatric dental sealants can protect teeth from decay for many years, but need to be checked for wear and chipping at regular preventive dentistry visits.
Who Should Get Children’s Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants benefit children and teens in several key situations. Understanding when your child might need sealants helps ensure optimal protection during their cavity-prone years.
- Children and teenagers: As soon as the permanent molars appear around age six, or any time throughout the cavity-prone years of 6-16, children’s dental sealants provide crucial protection.
- Adults: Tooth surfaces without decay that have deep grooves or depressions.
- Baby teeth: Occasionally recommended if primary teeth have deep grooves and the child is particularly cavity-prone.
At ABC Children’s Dentistry, Dr. Singer evaluates each child’s individual risk factors and tooth anatomy to determine the best timing for sealant application. This personalized approach ensures your child receives protective treatment exactly when they need it most.
Accepting new patients! Dr. Singer combines 20+ years of expertise with a judgment-free, understanding approach that puts both kids and parents at ease.
How Are Pediatric Dental Sealants Applied?
The sealant application process is quick, comfortable, and completely painless for children. Dr. Singer and our gentle team make the experience enjoyable, often allowing kids to watch their favorite Disney movies on ceiling-mounted TVs during treatment.
Sealants are easily applied by your pediatric dentist, and the process takes only a couple of minutes per tooth. The teeth to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned and then surrounded with cotton to keep the area dry. A special solution is applied to the enamel surface to help the sealant bond to the teeth. The teeth are then rinsed and dried. Sealant material is carefully painted onto the enamel surface to cover the deep grooves or depressions. Depending on the type of sealant used, the material will either harden automatically or with a special curing light.
During the procedure, children remain comfortable and entertained in our themed treatment rooms. Each room features unique decorations, from princess themes to outer space adventures, helping young patients feel relaxed and engaged throughout their visit.
Maintaining Your Child’s Dental Sealants
Proper home care, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new sealants. Dr. Singer recommends routine checkups every six months to monitor sealant condition and overall oral health in children.
While sealants provide excellent protection, they work best as part of a comprehensive preventive care plan. This includes regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, daily flossing, and limiting sugary snacks and drinks. Our team provides personalized oral hygiene instruction to help families establish healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Why Choose ABC Children’s Dentistry for Your Child’s Dental Sealants?
Dr. Jeffrey Singer brings over two decades of pediatric dental experience to every sealant application. Voted Top Dentist for Pediatric Dentistry by the Consumers Research Council of America, Dr. Singer combines clinical expertise with a uniquely engaging approach that transforms dental visits into adventures filled with laughter and Disney magic.
Our Voorhees practice features 50+ ceiling and wall-mounted televisions, themed treatment rooms, and personalized entertainment options that help children feel comfortable and excited about their dental health. Unlike practices that use open-bay concepts, every child receives private, individualized attention in their own specially designed room.
