Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities In Children: 10 Things Every Parent Should Know | Ear, Nose, Throat, and Dental problems articles | Body & Health Conditions center

Keeping their child healthy is every parent’s priority. Dental health is also a big part of this and can, in fact, be the toughest to achieve. Parents try to teach their children good dental habits but sometimes, despite the child following good dental hygiene practices, tooth decay may still occur.

While genetics plays a large role, the actual shape of the teeth may also be responsible for the occurrence of tooth decay. The teeth may have deep grooves and notches which don’t get cleaned effectively and food can get lodged here as well. Bacteria present in the mouth feast on this food, releasing acids which then weaken the tooth resulting in cavity formation. One of the best ways to combat this is through the use of dental sealants.

1. What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are a special kind of plastic resin, which is applied to the chewing surfaces of your child’s back teeth as a protective layer. These sealants are used more in the back teeth as those are more prone to dental caries. These teeth usually have pits and fissures which hold the sealant well. Dental sealants are available in clear, colored or tinted shades.

2. Are dental sealants really required?

Studies by the CDC show that dental caries is three times more prevalent in school children who don’t have dental sealants covering their teeth as compared to children who do. Considering the few options available for the prevention of dental diseases, dental sealants are highly recommended by dentists all over the world.

3. Which teeth are eligible for dental sealants?

Back teeth need dental sealants more than front teeth, as they are more prone to decay. Dental sealants are usually recommended when the permanent molars and premolars erupt in your child’s mouth. This is usually around the age of six years, 12 years and 18 years.

Dental sealants can also be used for primary teeth especially if the teeth have deep pits and fissures hence making those teeth more prone to decay. Primary teeth are the best space maintainers for the permanent teeth, hence use of dental sealants to protect their health is a smart choice.

For dental sealants to be used in primary teeth, the child needs to be old enough to keep the mouth open for a few minutes to allow the application of the sealant and to keep the teeth dry during the process.

Teeth showing signs of initial decay like stains are good candidates for dental sealants to control the decay, too, and adults prone to tooth decay would also benefit from dental sealants.

4. How are dental sealants applied?

It is an absolutely painless procedure. The teeth are first cleaned and dried. Then a mild acidic gel is placed on the teeth to roughen the surface. After this is rinsed, the teeth are dried again and the sealant is coated on the tooth. Blue-colored light is shone on the tooth to allow the sealant to set or harden.

5. How do dental sealants work?

Dental sealants work like plastic lamination for your teeth, giving them a smooth surface where food and bacteria cannot accumulate and hence dental caries does not occur.

6. Are there any side effects of dental sealants?

There are no known side effects of dental sealants. There are no known cases of allergies as well.

Patients may feel slightly uncomfortable on biting due to the extra layer of sealant on their teeth but this is temporary and eases out with time.

In case of repair or replacement of dental sealants with time, a minor quantity of tooth may be removed along with leftover sealer but this is too small an amount to be worried about.

7. How long do dental sealants last?

Dental sealants can last for a long time although a lot depends on the dexterity of the dentist in this case as well. If done well dental sealants should last from five to ten years. If required the procedure can be repeated once the sealer wears away.

8. Are there any harmful chemicals in dental sealants?

The presence of a chemical called Bisphenol A or BPA in dental sealants has raised concerns in some circles. BPA in dental sealants has not been found to raise blood levels of BPA. Also, a higher amount of BPA may be present in cosmetics, and dust, etc. This minor quantity of BPA in dental sealants is of no concern.

9. Are dental sealants worth it?

Some may feel dental sealants are an expensive and avoidable choice. This is not the case at all, as they lead to great savings in treatment of dental caries in the form of fillings, root canals, crowns, extractions or implants. Once a tooth is cut into, for the purpose of filling, it has lost its natural integrity and there is no turning back. Prevention is always better than cure and investing in dental sealants definitely leads to better and cheaper long term dental health.

10. How to take care of dental sealants?

Teeth covered with dental sealants also need to be cleaned effectively by brushing twice daily, using a fluoridated toothpaste, and flossing regularly. Regular dental checkups are essential to check the wear and tear of the sealants. Gargling after intake of any food or drink also goes a great way in preventing tooth decay.

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