February is National Dental Health Month. When it comes to children's health, dental health can have long lasting effects. One way to help protect teeth is by getting sealants. Dental sealants are a frugal option compared to the cost of paying for fillings due to decay.
Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
Sealants are put on in dentists' offices, clinics, and sometimes in schools. By covering the chewing surfaces of the molars, sealants keep out the germs and food that cause decay.
- Children should get sealants on their permanent molars as soon as the teeth come in.
- The first permanent molars (6 year molars) come in between the ages of 5 and 7.
- The second permanent molars (12 year molars) come in when a child is between 11 and 14 years old.
- Other teeth with pits and grooves also may need to be sealed.
- Teenagers and young adults without decay or fillings in their molars also may get sealants.
- Most dental insurance companies cover the application of sealants.
Columbus Public Health and Columbus City Schools offer a dental sealant program for local children. For more informaiton, visit Columbus Public Health's low cost dental clinic page.
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