What the dentist considers
Several things are weighed together, so a single factor rarely settles the matter.
- How deep the grooves on the tooth appear.
- Whether the molar has come in far enough.
- Your child’s cavity risk and hygiene habits.
Sealants, in plain terms
Pediatric Dentistry for Shaughnessy Park Residents
Heard the word sealant and wondered what it means? Find out how these coatings for back teeth are considered for children at our McPhillips Street clinic.
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For parents hearing about sealants
Sealants and Back Teeth for Shaughnessy Park Kids
Back teeth have chewing surfaces full of pits and grooves. Toothbrush bristles have a hard time getting all the way into the deepest of them, which is one reason food and plaque can linger there.
A sealant is a protective material placed over those grooves on a suitable molar. Shaughnessy Park is in Winnipeg, and children from the area are seen at our McPhillips Street clinic, where the dentist considers sealants along with the rest of your child’s prevention.
Explore pediatric dentistry
Grooves are the target
Sealants are about deep pits on chewing surfaces, not the whole tooth.
Suitable molars only
Each tooth is judged on its own shape and on where it is in development.
One layer of protection
Brushing and sensible snacking still have their usual jobs to do.
How the decision is made
Why one molar might get a sealant and another might not.
A sealant is a recommendation, and it follows a look at the tooth. Age, tooth development and cavity risk all feed into it.
What to ask about
You’re entitled to understand the reasoning before anything is placed.
- Which teeth are being suggested, and why those?
- What will my child feel and notice?
- How will the sealant be checked later on?
A sealant covers grooves but doesn’t shield every surface. Spaces between teeth, for instance, still rely on your child’s daily care.
From question to decision
How sealants might come up at an appointment.
Sealants are usually one thread in a broader preventive visit. Here is a typical way that conversation may unfold.
Request your visit- 01
A look along the back teeth
As your child allows, the dentist checks the molars that have arrived, plus teeth and gums generally.
- 02
Weighing up cavity risk
Brushing, diet and any earlier treatment help show how much extra protection may be worthwhile.
- 03
Laying out the recommendation
You hear which teeth, if any, might benefit, and the reason for suggesting them.
- 04
Telling your child
Should sealants go ahead, the steps are described honestly in language suited to your child’s age.
A little groundwork
Describe it as a coat for bumpy teeth.
Most children don’t need more than a simple picture. Saying that the dentist will look at their back teeth and might add a coating is enough, and our team can take the explanation from there.
Coverage for sealants varies between plans, so ask the clinic about estimated costs before deciding.
Pass along to the dentist
- Molars that have recently come through, if you’ve noticed any.
- Cavities your child has had in the past.
- How your child manages brushing the very back teeth.
- Any difficulty keeping their mouth open for long.
A leafy plant by the waiting area window, and a dental chair with a wall screen beyond.
Keeping it manageable
Opening wide is often the hard part.
Back teeth are awkward to reach, and younger children can tire of holding still. If that sounds like yours, say so ahead of time, as it can affect how much is sensible to attempt at one visit.
Tools shown first
Instruments are introduced beforehand, so they don’t appear out of nowhere near your child’s mouth.
Stops along the way
Where possible, a tired child can have a pause to rest and reset.
A simple play-by-play
Short, honest descriptions help your child know what is going on back there.
After a decision is made
Back teeth still need your attention.
With or without sealants, molars at the back of the mouth are easy to miss during brushing. Keep supervising for as long as your child needs it, and use later appointments to see how things are holding up.
01
Aim for the far corners
Ask for a demonstration of how to reach the newest molars, which may sit lower than their neighbours.
02
Sticky snacks and sipping
Frequent sugary food and drinks remain part of the cavity picture, sealed teeth or not.
03
Checks at the next visit
Recall appointments give the dentist a chance to look over the teeth and any sealants again.
Think a sealant has come loose, or have a question about one? Phone the clinic at (204) 338-3003.
Talk with our team
Winnipeg North Dental
Unit-5 2358 Mcphillips Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 4J6Get directions (opens in a new tab)Where molars get looked at
Shaughnessy Park Kids Come to McPhillips Street for Care
Sealant discussions and other children’s care take place at Winnipeg North Dental, Unit 5, 2358 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg. Coming from Shaughnessy Park? Try the directions link.
The form sends your request to the clinic, and staff contact you afterward to agree on a time. Feel free to note your question about sealants.
Questions about coverage?
Talk with our team before your visit or learn about CDCP.
A little clarity before your visit
Your questions, answered.
Helpful details about pediatric dentistry in Shaughnessy Park.
Ask our teamHow can a Shaughnessy Park parent ask about sealants for a child?
Send a request through this page or ring (204) 338-3003, mentioning sealants if you’d like. The clinic gets in touch about an assessment at McPhillips Street.
Which teeth are sealants used on?
Suitable molars with deep grooves, based on what the dentist sees. Your child’s tooth development and cavity risk also help decide which ones would be worth sealing, if any.
Is a sealant the same thing as a filling?
No. A filling repairs a cavity or damaged area, whereas a sealant is a protective material placed over the grooves of a tooth as a preventive step.
Can a sealed tooth still get a cavity?
Yes, it can. Sealants cover the grooves, while other surfaces remain exposed, so regular brushing and attention to diet stay important.
My child’s molars haven’t come in yet. Should we wait?
It’s still fine to bring your child in, because a sealant is only one topic among several. Your dentist can tell you what to watch for as those teeth come through.
My child has a sharp pain in a back tooth. Do I wait for the appointment?
Rather than waiting or using the form, call the clinic and explain what’s going on so you can be advised on what to do next.
Protecting and repairing
See where sealants fit among other care.
These pages describe routine prevention, along with what is involved in repairing a tooth if a cavity develops.
Check-ups & Cleanings
Book dental check-ups and cleanings in Winnipeg for preventive exams, tartar removal, gum monitoring and personalized home-care guidance.
Explore serviceDental Fillings
Restore cavities, chips and worn areas with tooth-coloured dental fillings in Winnipeg. Learn when repair is needed and what happens during treatment.
Explore serviceGeneral Dentistry
Explore general dentistry in Winnipeg for check-ups, cleanings, fillings, root canals, extractions, emergencies and children’s dental care.
Explore serviceHave an urgent concern? Call (204) 338-3003 to discuss availability.
New molars on the way?
Find out whether sealants make sense for your child.
Send us a request for a children’s visit. The clinic will reply to work out an appointment.