Dental Sealant: The chewing surfaces of the back teeth are the most likely location for a cavity to develop in your child’s mouth.
Run your tongue over this area in your mouth, and you will feel the reason why: These surfaces are not smooth, as other areas of your teeth are.
Instead, they are filled with tiny grooves called “pits and fissures,” which trap bacteria and food particles. The bristles on a toothbrush can’t always reach all the way into these dark, moist little crevices.
This creates the perfect conditions for tooth decay.
Furthermore, a child’s newly erupted permanent teeth are less resistant to decay than adult teeth.
The hard enamel coating that protects teeth changes as it ages to become stronger. Fluoride, which is found in toothpaste and some drinking water—and in treatments provided at the dental office—can strengthen enamel, but, again, it’s hard to get fluoride into those pits and fissures on a regular basis.
Fortunately, there is an excellent solution to this problem: dental sealants.
Dental sealants are invisible plastic resin coatings that smooth out the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, making them resistant to decay.
A sealed tooth is far less likely to develop a cavity, require more expensive dental treatment later on, or, most importantly, cause your child pain.
How Dental Sealants Are Placed
You can think of a sealant as a mini plastic filling, though please reassure your child that it doesn’t “count” as having a cavity filled.
Because tooth enamel does not contain nerves, placing a dental sealant is painless and does not routinely require numbing shots. First, the tooth or teeth to be sealed are examined, and if any minimal decay is found, it will be gently removed.
The tooth is then cleaned and dried. Then, a solution that will slightly roughen or “etch” the surface is applied to make the sealing material adhere better. The tooth is then rinsed and dried again.
The dental sealant is then painted on the tooth in liquid form and hardens in about a minute, sometimes with the help of a special curing light. That’s all there is to it!
A note about BPA: A 2012 study that received comprehensive press coverage raised concerns that trace amounts of the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) found in some (but not all) dental resins might contribute to behavioral problems in children.
The study authors noted that while they had found an association, they had not proven that BPA in dental sealants causes these problems.
BPA is far more prevalent in food and beverage packaging than dental restorative materials. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association have since reaffirmed their support for using sealants.
Taking Care of Dental Sealants
Sealed teeth require the same conscientious dental hygiene as unsealed teeth. Your child should continue to brush and floss his or her teeth daily and have regular professional cleanings.
It is essential to check for wear and tear on the dental sealants, which should last for up to 10 years. During this time, your child will benefit from a preventive treatment that reduces decay by more than 70 percent.
Taking care of sealants is crucial for maintaining good oral health. Dental sealants are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth to protect them from decay.
Proper care includes brushing with fluoride toothpaste to keep the sealants clean and free from food particles. Flossing is also important to remove plaque buildup around the edges of the dental sealants.
Also, avoiding sticky or hard foods can help prevent sealant damage. Regular dental check-ups are essential for monitoring the condition of the dental sealants and ensuring they remain intact. By taking care of sealants, individuals can help prolong their effectiveness in preventing tooth decay.
