Dental sealant placement forms a barrier between the teeth and the substances that can cause tooth decay. It is a powerful tool to prevent tooth decay, especially in children. However, it is not a substitute for good oral hygiene. Patients with sealants still need to brush and floss on a daily basis and see a dentist for checkups regularly.
If you are a parent considering dental sealants for your child, here are some things that you need to know.
Sealants are applied to the molars, which are the teeth in the back of the mouth. These teeth are often more difficult to keep clean because they are difficult to reach with a toothbrush and floss and because they have pits and grooves in which food particles can get stuck and bacteria can grow.
Sealants fill in the pits and grooves, making the surface of the tooth smoother. This prevents food particles from getting stuck and denies harmful bacteria a hiding place.
Sealants are most often performed on children and adolescents to protect their newly erupted molars. If desired, the treatment can continue into adulthood.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of all adolescents aged 12 to 19 years, 48%, had dental sealant placement from 2011 to 2016, as well as 42% of all children aged 6 to 11. In either case, over half of all children did not have sealants.
Not only are more children overall receiving dental sealants but the gap between lower-income children and higher-income children receiving sealants has narrowed. However, there is still an economic disparity, with fewer lower-income children receiving sealants than their higher-income counterparts.
The first step is to clean the tooth and make sure it is thoroughly dry. The tooth is prepared with the application of a blue solution that helps the sealant adhere to the tooth's surface by making microscopic pores in it. After rinsing and drying the tooth, the sealant is painted on and cured with air or a special light. The process is not painful, and there is no need to numb the mouth when receiving dental sealants.
There have been instances in which sealants were still intact and working up to nine years after initial application. However, it is a good idea to have a dentist inspect them frequently. Sealants can be reapplied as needed if they fall off or lose their effectiveness.
According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, sealants are 90% effective when first placed and for up to two years thereafter. Though they can lose effectiveness over time, they still protect against 50% of cavities for four years following initial applications. To maximize the protection that your child receives from sealants, you should have them reapplied every two to four years or as recommended by your dentist.
Sealants can be white or slightly tinted in color, or they may be completely clear. In any case, they are only applied to the back teeth, which are less visible in the mouth when talking or smiling. You may be able to tell that your child has sealants when you look in their mouth, but casual observers probably will not notice them.
After your child first gets sealants, they may be able to feel them with their tongues at first. Before long, they will get used to the feeling and not notice it anymore.
Children who do not receive sealants are at greater risk for cavities and tooth decay. This can cause problems with speaking and eating. It can cause mouth pain that can prevent children from learning by distracting them in school.
It is not a foregone conclusion that a child without sealants will develop tooth decay in the molars. Good oral hygiene, e.g., brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once, may be enough to prevent this. However, the combination of good oral hygiene and dental sealants can reduce the risks of tooth decay significantly.
Dental sealant placement is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to protect your child's teeth from decay during the time that they are otherwise most prone to develop cavities.
Request an appointment here: https://dentistmiamibeachfl.com or call Miami Beach Smiles at (305) 534-2526 for an appointment in our Miami Beach office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Sealants in Miami Beach, FL.
While dental sealants can be performed for patients of any age, they are usually given to children. The molars and premolars bear primary responsibility for chewing food. These teeth also have crevices where food can get stuck more easily and are more difficult to clean. Sealants are made of a resin that is painted on…
If someone is missing teeth, one of the options for replacing them is dental implants. According to the CDC, one in five adults over 65 have severe tooth loss. Tooth loss may occur due to untreated cavities, gingivitis, and oral trauma. There are numerous benefits to getting implants, although it is not necessarily an option…
Dental sealants are one great defense against tooth decay or cavities. Tooth decay is one of the more common problems that dentists encounter. According to the CDC, around 90% of adults over the age of 20 will experience a cavity in their lifetime, and many adults will experience more than one. Tooth decay often begins…
Dental sealants are a non-invasive way to protect teeth against decay and to treat issues like teeth sensitivity. The sealants used are a tooth-colored or transparent coating that is painted onto the surface of the teeth being treated. The procedure is performed to seal any deep grooves and to form a barrier that prevents acids…
Although the gums may bleed occasionally from rough brushing or flossing too vigorously, frequent bleeding gums are a sign that something is wrong. Dental issues are the most common cause of this bleeding, often due to proper oral hygiene not being practiced. Depending on the cause of the bleeding, there are certain treatments and preventative…
Bleeding gums are the most common oral health issue that people experience. You might think you can ignore your bleeding gums or think the issue is not serious. Research shows that your periodontal health does impact your health in other ways. Often bleeding gums is the most obvious sign that all is not well in…