- Sealants have a good track record in my family, but I’ve seen both sides. My daughter’s lasted almost four years before a chunk came off—dentist fixed it at a checkup, no big deal.
- For kids with deep grooves, the benefits usually outweigh the hassle. Way fewer cavities compared to my own childhood (no sealants, lots of fillings).
- They’re not bulletproof. My nephew grinds his teeth and chews on pencils—his sealants needed patching twice in two years.
- I’m always a little wary about stuff getting trapped underneath, but our dentist uses a curing light and double-checks before sending us out.
- For adults, I skipped them and sometimes regret it. Fillings are way more of a pain (and cost more).
- If you trust your dentist and they’re careful about prep, it’s probably worth it—especially for kids who don’t love brushing or have tricky molars.
- Not perfect, but honestly, I’d rather deal with a quick patch than another filling down the road.
Totally get where you’re coming from. We did sealants for both my kids, and honestly, I was a little skeptical at first—just didn’t want to add another thing to the dental routine. But like you said, the payoff seems worth it, especially with deep grooves. My son’s lasted about three years before needing a touch-up, and the fix was quick, no drama. I do worry sometimes about stuff getting trapped underneath, but our dentist is super thorough with the prep and checks.
I skipped them for myself too, and yeah... fillings are definitely more of a hassle. If I could go back, I might’ve given sealants a shot, even as an adult. They’re not perfect, but I’d rather deal with a quick repair than another filling for sure. Your take makes a lot of sense to me.
I do worry sometimes about stuff getting trapped underneath, but our dentist is super thorough with the prep and checks.
I totally relate to this—my anxiety brain always goes straight to “what if something gets stuck and I don’t notice?” It’s reassuring hearing your dentist is really careful with the prep. That’s been my biggest hangup about sealants, honestly. My ortho mentioned them for my back molars (I’ve got those deep grooves too), but I kept picturing all the worst-case scenarios.
Reading your experience makes me feel a bit better about maybe giving them a try for my kid. Fillings have been such a pain for me—numbing, drilling, that lingering soreness after. Sealants seem less intense, even if they aren’t totally foolproof.
Kinda wish I’d done it when I was younger too. But yeah, like you said, quick repairs beat a whole new filling any day. Thanks for sharing how it went for you—it helps to know I’m not just overthinking this stuff.
I get why sealants are appealing, but I’m actually a bit more hesitant than most folks here. Had them put on in my 30s, and honestly, a couple of mine chipped off pretty fast. My dentist said it was probably just bad luck, but I still ended up with a cavity under one. Maybe I just had a rough experience, but now I’m more cautious about “preventive” stuff that could mask problems. Sometimes I wonder if old-school brushing and regular cleanings are simpler in the long run...
Sometimes I wonder if old-school brushing and regular cleanings are simpler in the long run...
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. Sealants aren’t magic—if they chip or aren’t sealed well, bacteria can sneak in and cause trouble underneath. They’re best for kids with deep grooves, but yeah, nothing beats solid brushing and checkups. Sometimes less really is more, especially for adults.
