Seal Out Decay

For more than 30 years now, sealants have offered a protective plastic coating that covers the surfaces of teeth to help prevent tooth decay.

Tooth Decay and Children

Toddlers, children in cavity-prone years (aged four to 17) and adults all face the same pit and fissure problem. Premolars and molars have the most pits and fissures, and are difficult for people of any age to reach with a toothbrush or dental floss. However, the application of sealants on the appropriate teeth can help prevent tooth decay for susceptible populations.

Keys to Preventing Pediatric Tooth Decay

These preventive measures include:

• Checkups with a pediatric dentist starting at 12 months of age.
• Good nutrition ensures your child has a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, and meat, fish and eggs. Sugar-rich foods and beverages need not be completely avoided. But in order to cut off the build-up of decay-inducing bacteria, their frequency should be limited.

Supervised tooth brushing helps promote good oral hygiene practices with children.

• Supervised tooth brushing until approximately age six, when children are likely to demonstrate that they can capably brush on their own. Parents are advised to clean babies’ and toddlers’ teeth with a brush or washcloth and a pea-sized dose of toothpaste, starting the day the first tooth erupts.
• Check the teeth monthly for horizontal white or brown spots or lines close to the gums. These markings are signs of demineralization, the first indications of tooth decay. When babies are nursing — breast or bottle fed — they tend to appear on the inside surface of the upper teeth. In children with permanent teeth, they are often found on biting surfaces or in between teeth. If you see these spots or lines, make an appointment with your dentist immediately. It may be possible to re-mineralize the area and prevent a cavity with fluoride treatment.
• Get adequate amounts of dental sealants. These plastic coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of the permanent molars (which appear between ages six to 12) protect the teeth by shutting out cavity-causing food particles. They are recommended for children at moderate to high risk for decay.

The Dental Sealant Procedure

First, your dentist will clean the teeth, dry them and apply a slightly acidic solution that is designed to help the sealant bond to the tooth surface. Then, each tooth is “painted” with a very thin layer of the sealant coating. Since the coating is clear or white, it blends easily with the natural tooth color.

Typically, your dentist will use a high-intensity curing light to harden the sealant after it has been painted on your teeth. Sealants can last for many years, but they should be checked regularly and assessed for possible re-application.

It is important to note that sealants do not replace fluoride. Rather, they add to the benefits of fluoride, and may preserve teeth so that they do not decay or require more extensive dental procedures later on.

The Cost of Dental Sealants