Sealants sounded weird at first, but the process was honestly super low-key. They just cleaned my teeth, dried them, and painted on this clear stuff. No drilling or anything scary.
That’s honestly such a relief to hear. I keep imagining all kinds of complicated tools and noises, but if it’s just cleaning and painting, maybe it’s not as nerve-wracking as I thought. I’ve always been the person who puts off dentist appointments until I can’t ignore it anymore (bad habit, I know), so even the idea of “raincoats” for my teeth makes me nervous. Did it taste weird at all? I have a really sensitive gag reflex and the tiniest thing can set it off.
I snack a lot too (chips, candy, you name it), so I get what you mean about wanting extra protection. Still, I worry that sealants might just give me a false sense of security and I’ll end up slacking on brushing or flossing. Did you notice any change in how your teeth felt afterwards? Like, did they feel smoother or sticky or anything? I guess I’m just anxious about anything that feels different in my mouth.
One thing I’m still unsure about—how long does the sealant actually last? I’ve read some places say a few years, but what if it chips off or something? Do you have to go back often to check if it’s still there? Also, does insurance usually cover this kind of thing? My plan is pretty basic and I’d hate to get stuck with a surprise bill.
I really appreciate hearing from someone who’s actually done it. Most of my friends either haven’t bothered or don’t remember if they got sealants as kids. It’s weird how something so simple can make you feel like you’re overthinking, but honestly, dentist stuff just gets in my head. Thanks for making it sound less intimidating.
Did it taste weird at all? I have a really sensitive gag reflex and the tiniest thing can set it off.
Same here—gag reflex of doom. When I got mine, there was a faint plasticky taste but honestly nothing strong or gross. Texture-wise, my teeth just felt a bit smoother for a day or two, then totally normal. I also worried about slacking on brushing, but the dentist kept saying sealants are just backup, not a replacement. As for how long they last, mine have held up over two years so far (I get them checked at cleanings). Insurance covered most of it, but definitely double-check because some plans only do it for kids or certain teeth. Dental stuff always feels like a bigger deal in my head too... glad I’m not alone!
That’s interesting about the plasticky taste—mine was barely noticeable too, but my kid said it was like a weird glue for a few minutes and then nothing. Did anyone else have to keep their mouth super dry during the process? That part was way worse for us than any taste or smell. Curious if anyone’s sealants ever popped off early... I’ve heard mixed things about how long they last, especially with kids who grind their teeth.
Curious if anyone’s sealants ever popped off early... I’ve heard mixed things about how long they last, especially with kids who grind their teeth.
Yeah, the dry mouth part was weirdly the hardest for my kid too—she kept making faces and trying to swallow. As for popping off, ours lasted about a year before one came loose (my son grinds his teeth at night, so maybe that didn’t help). Anyone else notice if tech has improved on that? I keep wondering if there’s some new “smart” material out there that works better with grinders...
As for popping off, ours lasted about a year before one came loose (my son grinds his teeth at night, so maybe that didn’t help).
That sounds familiar—my daughter’s sealant on her molar didn’t even make it to the one-year mark. She’s a big-time teeth grinder too, and her dentist mentioned that can definitely wear them down faster. I haven’t heard about any “smart” materials yet, but our dentist did say some newer sealants are supposed to bond better. Not sure if they actually hold up against grinding though. Anyone had luck with those?
