Do you get dental sealants for your kids (or yourself), or nah?

Did anyone notice if their kids avoided chewing on those teeth for a bit?

Yeah, my daughter was a little hesitant to chew on her molars right after getting the sealants. She said it felt “weird” and didn’t want to mess them up, but after a day or two she was back to normal. I think the initial texture just takes some getting used to. It’s totally normal for them to feel bumpy at first - ours smoothed out pretty quickly. If anything, I’d say the peace of mind is worth that short adjustment period.

That’s funny, my son did almost the same thing - he was super cautious with his back teeth for a couple days after getting sealants. He kept asking if he was “allowed” to eat on that side, like he’d break them or something. I guess the dentist explained it would feel different, but kids just latch onto that and get nervous. After a few meals he stopped mentioning it, so I figure it’s just the new texture throwing them off at first.

I’m curious, did your dentist give any advice about what kinds of foods to avoid those first days? Ours said sticky stuff like caramel or taffy could pull on the sealant if it hadn’t fully set, but honestly, my kid doesn’t even like that stuff. Mostly I just had him avoid gum for a bit.

I’ve heard some parents skip sealants because they worry about BPA or chemicals in the material. I didn’t dig too deep into that, but our dentist said the risk is super low compared to the benefit. Still, I get why some people hesitate - there’s always something new to worry about when it comes to kids’ health.

Did you notice any sensitivity after? My son complained his teeth felt kind of “cold” that night but it seemed to pass quick. Not sure if that’s common or just him being dramatic as usual...

He kept asking if he was “allowed” to eat on that side, like he’d break them or something.

That cracked me up - my grandson did the same thing, only he took it further and started eating like a squirrel, chewing everything on his front teeth for a day. I tried to explain the sealant wouldn’t just pop off if he bit into a sandwich, but you know how kids are... drama first, logic later.

Our dentist gave the “no sticky stuff” talk too. Honestly, I think half the reason is so they don’t have to deal with picking taffy out of molars at the next visit. The BPA thing - I looked it up once and got lost in a rabbit hole of scary headlines. In the end, I figured he’s exposed to more chemicals licking a receipt at the grocery store (not that I recommend it).

Funny you mention the cold feeling - my daughter said her teeth felt “icy” after sealants when she was little. Maybe it’s just the new surface or nerves talking. Either way, it passed by breakfast the next day. Kids bounce back quick... wish my old teeth did the same!

Funny you mention the cold feeling - my daughter said her teeth felt “icy” after sealants when she was little.

Wait, is that normal? I just got sealants as an adult and thought the “icy” thing meant something was wrong. It went away after a day, but it freaked me out. Did your dentist say why that happens? Also, I kept double-checking what I could eat. The “no sticky stuff” rule made me super paranoid - like, what counts as sticky? Is bread sticky? Maybe I’m overthinking all of this...

That icy feeling is honestly way more common than people realize. Happened to me too - felt like I’d just chewed on a minty ice cube for a day or two. My dentist said it’s just your teeth adjusting to the new layer, nothing bad. As for “sticky,” I was told to avoid things like taffy or caramel, not regular bread. I obsessed over it for a bit but turns out most everyday foods are fine... unless you’re eating straight-up gummy bears.

That cold, zingy feeling threw me off too - almost like biting into ice cream with sensitive teeth. Mine faded after a couple days, but I remember worrying it meant something was wrong. Seems like it’s just part of getting used to the sealants. I was also told to skip sticky candies, but honestly, regular food didn’t cause any issues. It’s good to hear someone else had the same experience... makes me feel less paranoid about the whole thing.

Yeah, that cold zap is weird, right? I had the same thing - like a flash of “uh oh, did they mess up?” but it mellowed out after a few days for me too. I was super careful with what I ate at first, but honestly, regular meals were fine. The sticky candy warning seems more about not pulling the sealant off than actual pain. Glad to know it’s not just me overthinking it.

The sticky candy warning seems more about not pulling the sealant off than actual pain.

That’s exactly what my dentist said too - sticky stuff can yank the sealant right off, especially in those first couple days. I kept second-guessing every snack, but honestly, once I got used to it, I just avoided chewy candy and was fine. The cold zap freaked me out at first (thought something went wrong), but it faded pretty quick. For kids, I’d say sealants are worth it, especially if they get cavities easily. The adjustment period is way less dramatic than I expected.

Did your insurance cover the sealants for your kids? I keep hearing they’re worth it, but I’m not sure if the cost adds up, especially with multiple kids. Also, how long did yours actually last before needing a redo? Just trying to figure out if it’s a once-and-done thing or an ongoing expense.

Our insurance did end up covering sealants for both my kids, but it was one of those things where I had to call and double-check because the info online was all over the place. I totally get what you mean about the cost, especially if you’ve got more than one kid - those “little extras” add up fast.

For us, the sealants lasted about four years before the dentist said they needed to be touched up in a few spots. Not a once-and-done thing, but not every year either. Honestly, I was skeptical at first because my oldest is pretty good about brushing, but her back molars still started showing tiny pits. The sealants seemed to help keep new cavities away, at least so far.

I know some folks say it’s overkill, but I’d rather pay for a redo than deal with fillings down the road. Still, I wish it was just a one-time thing... Would make life (and budgeting) way easier.

That’s pretty much how it went for us, too. I figured sealants were just another upsell at first, but my dentist showed me the grooves in my kid’s molars and yeah… toothbrushes can only do so much. The insurance part was confusing - I had to call twice before I got a straight answer. It’s not the cheapest, but honestly, compared to the cost (and drama) of a filling later on, I’ll take it. Would be so much easier if they lasted forever, though.

Would be so much easier if they lasted forever, though.

Right? My youngest needed a couple redone after just three years - apparently she chews ice (facepalm). I used to think sealants were a gimmick, but after my own nightmare with cavities as a kid, I’m not taking chances. Insurance was a headache for us too... had to argue my way into partial coverage.

I used to think sealants were a gimmick, but after my own nightmare with cavities as a kid, I’m not taking chances.

Totally get that. I was skeptical too until my oldest went years without a single cavity after getting them. But yeah, they don’t last forever - especially if your kid’s an ice chewer or grinds their teeth. Did your dentist mention how often they should be checked? I’ve heard some say every six months, but ours only brings it up at the yearly checkup. Insurance is such a pain... ours only covers sealants up to age 14, which seems kind of random.

Insurance is such a pain... ours only covers sealants up to age 14, which seems kind of random.

That age cutoff drives me nuts too. I remember my dentist saying the risk for deep grooves and cavities doesn't magically disappear at 14. My grandkids are both past that age now, and honestly, their molars look just as tricky to clean as when they were younger. The insurance rules just seem arbitrary.

As for checkups, I’m in the camp that says every six months is safest, especially if your kid’s chewing on ice or grinding - those habits can really wear down sealants faster than people think. I’ve actually had a sealant pop off myself (in my 60s, no less), so it’s not just a kid thing. If you’re already going in for cleanings twice a year, might as well have them checked each time. It only takes a minute.

I get being skeptical about the whole thing, but after decades of fillings and crowns, I’d do anything to help my family avoid that mess. Sealants aren’t perfect, but they’re better than another drill session in my book.

The age cutoff is so weird, right? I still have deep grooves in my molars and let’s just say I’m well past 14... My orthodontist actually recommended sealants for me after I got my braces off because cleaning around those back teeth was basically impossible. Insurance didn’t cover it, but honestly, the cost was less than a single filling. I’d rather pay out of pocket than deal with another cavity. And yeah, I totally agree - sealants aren’t perfect, but they’re way better than that drill noise.

That’s interesting, because my dentist never even mentioned sealants after I got my braces off in my late 20s. I always thought they were just for little kids, but I’ve had a couple of friends in their 30s get them too - usually after a bad cavity or two. Honestly, I wish someone had brought it up for me sooner, especially since I grind my teeth and those grooves are like plaque magnets.

Did your orthodontist talk about how long sealants actually last for adults? I always assumed they’d chip or wear off way faster than on kids, especially if you’re not super careful. I’ve heard mixed things - some people say theirs lasted years, others had to redo them after a year or two. I guess the out-of-pocket cost is still better than dealing with a filling, but I’m curious if there’s any real downside to getting them as an adult besides insurance not covering it.

It does seem weird that insurance draws such a hard line at age 14 or whatever. Like, do they think our teeth magically stop being vulnerable to cavities after that? I don’t get it. Has anyone had issues with sealants coming off or trapping food? My cousin swears hers actually made things worse because she ended up with decay underneath one, but maybe that’s just bad luck or a one-off thing.

I’m kind of tempted to ask about them next time, especially since my back molars are still a pain to clean even with floss picks and those little brushes. Anyone else have sealants as an adult and actually notice a difference in how easy it is to keep things clean?

Yeah, insurance acting like adult teeth are invincible makes zero sense to me. I actually got sealants in my early 30s after a couple of pricey fillings - figured it was cheaper in the long run. Mine lasted about three years before they started chipping, but honestly, I noticed less gunk getting stuck in those deep grooves while they were on. Didn’t totally eliminate my flossing struggles, but it helped a bit. Never had the whole “decay under the sealant” thing, but my dentist checked them every cleaning. Still wish insurance would cover stuff that might actually save them money...