Curious how many folks are actually getting sealants put on their (or their kids') teeth. My dentist keeps suggesting them for my youngest, but I’m kinda torn—like, is it really worth it? Or is good brushing enough? Quick poll: Have you gone for sealants, skipped them, or still on the fence? Any horror stories or happy endings?
We did sealants for my oldest, mostly because his molars had these deep grooves and the dentist made it sound like brushing alone might not get in there. But honestly, I was super nervous about it—like, what if something goes wrong or they pop off? So far, nothing dramatic has happened, but I keep worrying about whether they actually last or if we’ll end up needing to redo them every few years.
I’m curious—has anyone noticed sealants chipping or causing sensitivity? I’ve heard mixed things about how long they’re supposed to hold up, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s just an extra step or really a game changer for cavities.
We did sealants for both my kids, and I totally get the worry—my youngest is a tooth grinder and I was sure the sealants would chip right off. But honestly, they’ve held up better than I expected. Our dentist said they might need touch-ups every few years, but so far, no sensitivity or issues. For us, it’s been worth it—my oldest had a cavity before sealants, none since. I do think it’s a game changer if your kiddo has deep grooves.
That’s really reassuring to hear, especially about the tooth grinding. I’ve been on the fence about sealants for my daughter because she grinds her teeth at night, and I was worried they’d just flake off or wear down in no time. Hearing that yours have held up is honestly a relief. I keep hearing mixed things—some folks say their kids’ sealants chipped fast, others have no problems for years. Maybe it really does depend on the dentist’s technique or the specific materials used.
I get anxious about anything “extra” at the dentist, but knowing your oldest hasn’t had a cavity since getting sealants makes me feel like it’s worth considering, especially since deep grooves run in our family too. The idea of touch-ups every few years doesn’t sound so bad if it means fewer fillings down the road. I’ll probably still overthink it, but your experience helps tip the scales for me. Thanks for sharing—sometimes hearing from real people makes all the difference.
Honestly, I get the hesitation. There’s always that nagging feeling—am I just signing up for another “optional” dental thing, or is this actually going to help? For me, sealants have been a bit of a mixed bag, but overall I lean toward “worth it,” especially for kids with deep grooves (which sounds like your situation too).
My oldest had them put on around age 7 after her dentist pointed out she had those classic deep pits in her molars. She was a pretty diligent brusher, but even then, we’d had a couple close calls with cavities in her baby teeth. Since the sealants? Not a single new cavity in the back teeth. We did have one chip off after about two years—dentist patched it up at a regular cleaning and insurance covered it, so not much hassle.
I get what you mean about the grinding. My youngest is a serious night-grinder and I worried the sealants would just wear away. They do look a little more worn than my older kid’s, but they’re still hanging on after three years, which surprised me. Our dentist did mention that sometimes they need to be touched up or reapplied, especially with grinders or if your kiddo chews ice (guilty here). But honestly, compared to getting fillings later—which are more expensive and can be uncomfortable—I’ll take the occasional touch-up.
As for myself, I skipped them as a kid (wasn’t really offered back then), and now I’m paying for it with way too many fillings and one crown already. Makes me wish I’d had the option.
It’s not totally risk-free—some people do have issues with them popping off or trapping stuff underneath if they aren’t applied right. But if you trust your dentist and they seem thorough, it might be worth rolling the dice. At least in our case, the peace of mind has been worth the minor inconvenience of an extra step at cleanings now and then.
I still overthink this stuff too—dentistry always feels like a gamble. But looking at how much drama we’ve avoided so far, I’d probably do it again.
