Dental Sealants in The Woodlands, TX

In order to serve your family and the surrounding community, Made Ya Smile Dental hopes to offer the best treatment options available, including the use of dental sealants. Sealants are a white, light, or tooth-colored material that fills in the grooves of the back teeth, preventing bacteria and food particles from collecting inside. Placing these protective coating for teeth in The Woodlands, TX, on teeth on the molars and premolars is also helpful in preventing tooth decay. While sealants are normally used on children, they can also help adults who want to maintain a cavity-free smile. When cleaned and cared for properly at home, dental sealants can last for a number of years — so if you are interested in learning more about keeping your or your children's teeth healthy, contact our practice in The Woodlands, TX, today. 

Young children and teenagers tend to get cavities more often than adults on the back of their teeth, including their molars and premolars. These back teeth have "pits" where harmful plaque and food particles will gather to form cavities. Sometimes these areas are hard to clean using normal brushing and flossing techniques. Instead, dental sealants fill these grooves in the teeth to block out harmful bacteria. While anyone could be a potential candidate for dental sealants, it's most typically used for children between the ages of 6 – 12 whose teeth have fully erupted and are cavity-free. To learn more about a tooth enamel sealant in The Woodlands, TX, schedule an appointment in our office.

Before the treatment, Made Ya Smile Dental will give your child a comprehensive examination to determine if they have any current dental issues, such as cavities or tooth decay. If they are cleared for treatment, we can place the sealants on the same day or schedule to place them at a later date. First, we clean the surfaces of the teeth with a paste and liquid to ensure the sealants adhere correctly. Then, our practitioners rinse and dry the teeth before they place the dental sealant in the grooves of the teeth. The sealants are hardened with a special tool in about 20 – 30 seconds, then Made Ya Smile Dental will check to ensure the upper and lower teeth still fit together comfortably. 

Receiving dental sealants is a simple but effective procedure at our state-of-the-art clinic. After the appointment, your child may return to their daily activities, but you will need to make sure they follow several instructions after the protective coating for teeth in The Woodlands, TX, has been placed. First, avoid foods that are sticky or hard to chew for the first few days after the treatment. Our practitioners also recommend avoiding candy, gum, or chewing on ice while the sealants are in place. Remember to keep up with their dental health with daily brushing and flossing to keep their smile healthy. During your child's annual exams and cleanings, our team will check the sealants to make sure they don't need to be replaced. 

Preventive procedures, such as dental sealants, are nearly always covered by a dental health insurance plan. Before we begin the treatment at our The Woodlands, TX location, our staff will review your plan and understand what is covered and what needs to be paid out-of-pocket. Because we want your family to have access to the best preventive care, we accept many forms of payment, as well as financing through a third-party provider, CareCredit®.

Does a dental sealant hurt?
Getting a protective coating for teeth in The Woodlands, TX, won't hurt. Dental sealants are created from a gel that's brushed on the surface of the tooth or teeth. The procedure is quick, and no drilling or shots are involved.

Can I eat after getting a dental sealant?
After your tooth enamel sealant, you can feel free to eat. There are no specific restrictions on what can be eaten or drank after the procedure.

Can I brush my teeth afterward?
After getting a dental sealant, you can brush and floss as normal. You don’t have to worry about this procedure getting in the way of your regular dental routine. 

How long do dental sealants last?
Your dental tooth enamel sealant will last around a decade. This is possible when you maintain your current regular dental cleaning and exams. Each time you come in for an appointment, we will check them to ensure they look good and function properly.

Parents who want their children to avoid cavities in the future can do so with dental sealants by Made Ya Smile Dental in The Woodlands, TX. Sealants can keep a child's teeth healthy by minimizing the risk of cavities and tooth decay since they protect the chewing surfaces of teeth. This also lessens the need for crowns, fillings, and other types of costly restorations when they become adults. Our experienced practitioners are able to provide a comfortable environment for young children during this simple and effective procedure. Contact us to learn if a member of your family can get dental sealants.