February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and making sure that your child has a healthy mouth, teeth and gums begins with good habits at home.
- Brushing and flossing at least twice a day
- Eating or drinking foods that are good for your teeth (milk, water, fruits and vegetables)
- Not sharing utensils or blowing on food to avoid spreading bacteria
- Visiting the dentist at least once a year
- Modeling these habits for your children
Sometimes, a child might still get a cavity even when these healthy habits are followed. One of the best ways to keep your child’s teeth healthy is to have a sealant applied to them.
What are sealants?
Sealants are plastic coatings put on the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent decay. They should be placed as soon as possible after these teeth come through the gums, usually around age 6 for first molars and age 12 for second molars. Most sealants are placed by dentists in their office, but you can also get them at some school-based sealant programs or community clinics. Placing sealants takes just a couple of minutes and is completely painless.
Why sealants?
Sealants can prevent 80% of cavities on back teeth, while school-aged children without sealants are three times more likely to have tooth decay on their first molars than those who get sealants. A well-placed sealant can last up to 10 years, though it can chip or wear and may need to be repaired or replaced.
Most Delta Dental of Virginia plans cover sealants on first and second permanent molars. Log into our
member website to view your coverage and find a dentist for your child.
