My youngest grinds his teeth at night, and our dentist was pretty upfront about sealants not lasting as long in those cases. She said they can wear down or even pop off sooner if there’s a lot of grinding. We’ve had to reapply once already after about 18 months—wasn’t a big deal, but it’s definitely not always a one-time thing. I’d say if you notice any chips or rough spots, it’s worth having them checked out sooner rather than later.
Interesting point about sealants not lasting as long with grinding—my oldest is a grinder too, but our dentist used a different type of sealant that’s supposed to be a bit tougher. We’re just past two years and they’re still holding up, no chips yet. Maybe it depends on the material or how it’s applied? I wouldn’t write them off completely for kids who grind, but yeah, keeping an eye on them is key.
Maybe it depends on the material or how it’s applied?
That’s been my experience too. My grandkids both grind their teeth, and their dentist mentioned using a resin-based sealant that’s more resistant to wear. We’ve had mixed results—one set lasted three years, the other needed a touch-up after about eighteen months. I wouldn’t say sealants are a lost cause for grinders, but regular check-ups really make a difference. Sometimes those tiny chips are hard to spot without a pro taking a look.
My kid’s were put on a sealant too, but honestly, it didn’t last as long as I hoped. They chew ice (can’t get ‘em to stop), so maybe that’s why. Dentist patched it up quick though. Guess it’s just one of those things you gotta keep an eye on.
We did sealants for both my kids, and honestly, I was hoping they’d last longer too. My youngest grinds his teeth at night, so that probably didn’t help. I get anxious about the cost every time they need a touch-up... insurance only covers so much. Just feels like another thing to budget for, you know?