Sealants Prevent Cavities In Your Children's Teeth

Sealants Prevent Cavities In Your Children's Teeth
What are dental sealants?

Sealants are plastice coatings that are applied to the pits
and fissures of a tooth surface to prevent accumulation of
decay causing plaque in these areas. They are applied as a
flowable liquid that flows into the pits and fissures of
the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, then hardened with
a high intensity dental curing light. This is a simple
painless procedure requiring no anesthetic or drilling.

Fluorides have markedly reduced incidence of tooth decay in
children on the smooth surfaces of teeth since the early
1970's. By the mid 1980's approximately 90 percent of the
decay in children's teeth occured in surfaces with pits or
fissures and almost two-thirds were on the chewing surfaces
of the back teeth. These are the areas dental sealants
protect. They have been approved for many years by
professional health associations and public health
agencies. Many people are still unaware of dental sealants
today. In fact, fewer than 25 percent of children in the
United States have sealants applied.

When Should Sealants Be Applied?

Children should get sealants placed as soon as their
permanent molars start coming in, before any decay has a
chance to occur. This usually starts at about the age of
six. Second molars usually come in around the age of
twelve, so children should be checked for sealant
application regularly from the age of six through their
early teen years. Adults at high risk of decay can also
benefit from sealants in areas that have not already had to
be filled or restored.

How Are Sealants Put On?

* The tooth is cleaned
* The tooth is dried, and isolated with cotton
* A solution is put on the tooth that makes the
surface a little rough. This makes the bonding of the
sealant material stronger
* The tooth is rinsed and dried
* The sealant is applied in liquid form and
hardened for 10 seconds with a dental curing light * The
sealant is finished

How Long Do Sealants Last?

Sealants can last as long as ten years. However, they need
to be checked at regular intervals during normal dental
checkups to make sure they are not chipped or worn away. If
needed, the dentist or dental hygienist can repair the
sealants by adding more.

How Can I Get Dental Sealants For My Children?

Talk to your dentist, state or local dental society, or
health department. Some schools have programs for sealant
application. Check with your school about whether it has a
sealant application program.

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Steven J. Brazis DDS has practiced family and cosmetic
dentistry for 35 years. For more information on children's
teeth see his book:
http://www.yourchildrensteeth.com