Sealants and Braces Oh My!

Here are some hand guides and worksheets to download and explore at home, or in the classroom! Learn more about how sealants protect your teeth and when someone might need braces.

Discover how sealants, thin, plastic coverings that go over your permanent back teeth, prevent tooth decay and the formation of cavities. Then, learn about how orthodontists look at your adult teeth and determine whether or not they need the assistance of braces to straighten while still allowing you to do things like play sports or instruments. Braces are orthodontic devices that can straighten crooked or crowding teeth or can fix your bite if you have an overbite or underbite. Participate in the coloring activity provided, allowing you to color a set of braces whatever color you’d like. Finally, answer the attached discussion questions asking about what braces are, where you go when you need braces, whether or not you can wear braces on baby teeth, and why you might need braces. Braces can be beneficial for children with baby teeth as it is best to catch dental problems early. It can be a good option for children with a mix of both adult and baby teeth. In fact, it is recommended to start seeing an orthodontist as early as the age of seven, before all adult teeth have even come in. Braces can be used to help with all sorts of things, like misaligned bites in the form of an underbite, overbite, crossbite, open bite, crowding, and spacing.

Recall the answers given as bonuses on the coloring page and understand the steps that you can take to maximize the health of your permanent teeth. Get creative with the coloring page and learn all about the options of sealants and braces as your baby teeth fall out and are replaced with more permanent adult teeth you’ll have for the rest of your life!