The greatest method to avoid cavities and instill good oral hygiene practices in your child that they may continue into adulthood is to teach them to brush and floss their teeth every day. Dental sealants are another preventative measure that we dentists utilize to support the fight against tooth decay. Continue reading to find out more about this preventative step and choose whether it would be the best choice for your child.
The greatest method to avoid cavities and instill good oral hygiene habits in your child is to have them brush and floss their best dentist teeth at least once a day. Dental sealants are a different preventative measure that we as dentists employ to help battle tooth decay. To determine if this preventive intervention is the best choice for your child, continue reading to learn more about it.
HOW DO THEY WORK?
The teeth are sealed and protected by dental sealants, as their name suggests. They are placed by dentists over the grooved and pitted regions of premolars and molars. These teeth can be quite difficult to clean, especially for young children, because the grooves in them are occasionally smaller than a single toothbrush bristle. Moreover, plaque builds up on the teeth’s surface without consistent, thorough brushing, and over time, this little hole—known as a cavity—is created. Dental sealants provide an additional layer of defense over these difficult-to-clean spots by forming a smooth surface that keeps food out and prevents cavities in your child’s teeth.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dental sealants can also be applied over cavities when they’re still in the early stages.
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD CHILDREN GET THEM?
We advise getting dental sealants for kids between the ages of six and fourteen. Your first teeth should erupt at age 6, and your second molars should start to show around age 12. To prevent tooth decay, most dentists advise sealing these teeth as soon as they erupt. In extreme circumstances, especially if the baby teeth have deep grooves or pitted areas, your dentist may even advise placing dental sealants over the baby teeth.
Dental sealants are advised for youngsters between the ages of six and fourteen. The ADA states that your first teeth erupt about age six, and your second molars occur around age twelve. The majority of dentists advise sealing these teeth as soon as they erupt in order to prevent tooth decay. When infant teeth have deep grooves or pitted areas, your dentist may even advise placing dental sealants over the teeth.
HOW ARE THEY APPLIED?
The tooth is first cleaned and dried by your dentist. To help the dental sealant cling to the tooth, they then apply an acidic gel to gently roughen the tooth’s surface. They clean and dry your tooth once more after rinsing the gel off after a brief period of time. Next, after coating the tooth with the liquid sealant, your dentist will harden it with a blue light. It’s a quick, simple, and painless process!
SHOULD YOUR CHILD HAVE DENTAL SEALANTS?
Dental sealants, as was already said, guard against tooth decay. Dental sealants can stop 80% of molar cavities, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Also, according to CDC data, first molar cavities are nearly three times more common in school-aged children (between the ages of six and 11) without dental sealants than in those who do. The need for future (and occasionally expensive) dental procedures like fillings and crowns can be reduced or even eliminated with early cavity prevention.
Dental sealants do contain biphenyl A (BPA), but not in sufficient quantities to harm you or your child. According to the ADA, inhaling air, coming into contact with dust, touching a receipt, or eating food can all increase your exposure to BPA.