Dental Sealants

What Are Dental Sealants?

This preventive treatment is designed to seal the chewing surfaces of back teeth, and sealants consist of a thin, flowable plastic material painted onto these tooth surfaces. Sealing the surfaces helps prevent cavities, but dental sealants shouldn’t be regarded as a substitute for a good daily oral care routine. They are simply another layer of protection.

Should My Child Have Dental Sealants?

Preventive dentistry is important for everyone, but especially for children. When kids learn how to look after their teeth right from the start and are taught good oral hygiene habits, it can provide the essential building blocks they need, so there is a much better chance they can enjoy a lifetime of great dental health and all the benefits of a healthy, nicely maintained and attractive smile. There are numerous ways that dentists can help prevent common diseases like tooth decay and gum disease, and one preventive treatment is dental sealants. In this article, we will learn more about dental sealants, how they work, and if they could be the right option for your kid.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

As the name suggests, dental sealants work by sealing a tooth surface. They are applied to chewing surfaces because these frequently have deep grooves and fissures. These tooth surfaces can be so intricate that they cannot be cleaned properly with a toothbrush, especially by a young child who might not yet have the same level of dexterity as an adult.

Regular toothbrushing is essential to remove plaque and food debris. If it isn’t removed thoroughly, the bacteria in dental plaque soon get to work feasting on the leftover food particles, allowing them to multiply and thrive. As they do so, they produce acid that weakens tooth enamel, softening it by removing some essential minerals, including phosphorus and calcium. Although some of these minerals are redeposited back into the tooth surfaces as the mouth becomes less acidic, repeated exposure to acids eventually causes lesions that develop into cavities.

By coating the chewing surfaces of the larger back teeth, the molars, and premolars with dental sealant, a dentist can help prevent tooth decay. Once applied, the dental sealant hardens to create a smooth, easy-to-brush surface.

How Long Will Dental Sealants Last?

Usually, dental sealants will last ten years or more before they need replacing. Dentists can monitor their condition regularly and will suggest when it is time to replace them.

When Should Children Have Dental Sealants?

Usually, dental sealants are applied when children begin to get their permanent back teeth between ages 6 and 14. Generally, the first molars will appear around age six, followed by the second molars around age twelve. It’s important to have dental sealants applied soon after these teeth come through to help prevent tooth decay. This is because dental sealants are only really effective when applied to teeth that are cavity-free and which don’t have any fillings. Sometimes, dental sealants can be used to halt the first signs of cavities in teeth, so if a tooth has a small soft spot or tiny lesion, coating the tooth with dental sealant can prevent it from worsening, but this is less common.

However, the problem of tooth decay is worse for children because kids’ milk or primary teeth have a thinner layer of tooth enamel protecting them that is more easily eroded. Therefore, if your child is more at risk of tooth decay, has signs of cavities, or has teeth with particularly deep grooves and fissures, your dentist may suggest applying dental sealants to their baby or milk teeth. It’s important to protect these teeth so they cannot be lost too soon, as they help hold open the correct amount of space for adult teeth to emerge. If baby teeth become rotten and decayed and need removing too early, there is a real risk that the child’s adult teeth could come through crooked, and they may have other problems learning to speak and eating a nutritious diet.

Are Dental Sealants Right for My Kid?

This treatment can be great for helping prevent tooth decay in molars and premolars. Research has shown that children aged between six and 11 who don’t have dental sealants are almost 3 times as likely to have cavities in their back teeth compared to children with dental sealants. It is a preventive dental care treatment that can avoid the need for costlier and more invasive treatments, such as fillings and dental crowns.

Are Dental Sealants Safe?

There is a tiny amount of bisphenol A or BPA in the dental sealant liquid, but the amount is so small that it cannot cause any harm to children or adults. To put this in perspective, you are most likely exposed to more BPA when you come into contact with dust, use cosmetics, or even when you simply breathe in.

It is possible but extremely rare to have an allergic reaction to dental sealants. However, if your child does have allergies or you have any concerns about this treatment, then share them with your dentist. Your dentist can review your child’s dental health and medical history to decide with you if dental sealants are appropriate or if another preventive treatment would be preferable.

What Are the Other Ways I Can Help Prevent Cavities in My Child’s Teeth?

Regardless of whether your child is suitable for dental sealants, ensuring they have a good oral care routine is important. Ensure your child brushes twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush that will not harm their teeth or gums. When your child is young, you will need to brush their teeth for them, and even when they begin to brush on their own, you should still monitor them carefully to ensure they are brushing their teeth thoroughly. As their teeth come through and start contacting each other, you will need to floss between them daily. Generally, children lack the dexterity to floss on their own until age 10.

A good diet is another important factor in helping to prevent cavities. Ensure your child eats a healthy and varied diet and not too many sugary candies, beverages, or snacks. Snacking between meals can be a huge risk factor in causing cavities, as many popular snacks contain sugars or carbohydrates that are converted into sugars, allowing the bacteria that cause tooth decay to thrive.

Are Dental Sealants Only for Children?

Adults can have dental sealants, but they tend to be applied to children’s adult teeth. However, adults who are at high risk for cavities may be able to benefit from this treatment. If you think they might help you, ask your dentist for further help and advice on your suitability.

What Is the Process for Dental Sealants?

The process is very quick, entirely painless, and non-invasive, so there is no need for a child to be scared or anxious. Before the sealants are applied, teeth are cleaned thoroughly to get rid of any plaque and tartar buildup and are then dried. The dentist then applies a special liquid that lightly etches the tooth surface to be sealed so the liquid is slightly acidic. Etching the surface creates a rougher area, enhancing the bond between the dental sealant and the tooth without harming the tooth. The etching fluid is rinsed off, and the teeth are dried once more before the dental sealant is painted onto the tooth surfaces. Because it is liquid and very flowable, the sealant soon gets into all the intricate grooves and fissures. The sealant doesn’t take long to harden, or your dentist may use a blue light to accelerate the process.

How Your Dental Office Can Help with Regular Preventive Dentistry

Regular dental checkups and hygiene appointments are extremely important. Ideally, schedule your child’s first dental checkup by age one, and they should be seeing a dentist regularly by age two or three. Your child’s dentist can then closely monitor their oral health and the development of their teeth and jaws, detecting any problems much earlier when treatment is often quicker and less invasive. Also, your child’s dental team has lots of useful information and practical help for you, including advice on how to brush and floss your child’s teeth and dietary advice to help avoid problems like tooth decay. As your child grows up, this dental team can work with them directly, ensuring they learn how to brush and floss independently using the proper techniques.

Choosing the right dental office for your child is important so they can build relationships with the dental team based on mutual trust and respect, creating a safe dental home and ensuring they grow up with a healthy, beautiful smile and the confidence of knowing their dental health is in great shape. Additionally, good dental care has never been more important because we now know about the close relationship between good oral health and overall health. Giving your child the tools to enjoy good dental health can help prevent many serious medical problems so that they will enjoy lower dental and medical bills in the future.