Did you know your child needs dental sealants?

Dental sealants are one of the highly effective options and a safe and painless way of protecting your child’s teeth from decay.

A child’s newly erupted permanent teeth are not as resistant to decay as adult teeth are. The hard enamel coating that protects the teeth changes as it ages to become stronger.

Dental sealant is a thin invisible protective plastic resin coating, which is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth coating the pits and fissures that typically trap or hide food particles and foster bacterial growth by attracting cavity causing bacteria.

The sealant forms a smooth, protective barrier by covering (sealing) all the little grooves and dips in the surface of the tooth.

Dental decay easily starts in these grooves if they are not sealed. This hard shield keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and making them resistant to decay.

Dental sealants are routinely being done in reputed dental clinics in Delhi.

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.

The most likely location for a cavity to develop in your child’s mouth is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. These surfaces are not smooth, as other areas of your teeth are. Instead, they are rough and uneven because they have small pits and grooves which trap bacteria and food particles. Food and germs can get stuck in the pits and grooves and stay there a long time because the bristles on a toothbrush can’t always reach all the way into these dark, moist little crevices to clean well. This creates the perfect conditions for tooth decay.

If a small cavity is accidentally covered by a sealant, the decay will not spread, because it is sealed off from its food and germ supply.

Dental sealants act as a barrier to seal-off space between the tooth surface and any small food particles or bacteria that may otherwise cause a cavity in an unsealed tooth.

Paired with daily brushing twice with a fluoridated toothpaste, a healthy diet and visiting the dentist twice a year to monitor the sealants placement, properly applied dental sealants are 100 percent effective in preventing cavities.

Dental clinics  in India have seen an increased awareness for kid’s dentistry among the public in the recent past.  Dentists in India are now  focussiing a lot on preventive dentistry.

Why get dental sealants?

The most important reason for getting sealants is to avoid tooth decay.

Fluoride in toothpaste and in drinking water protects the smooth surfaces of teeth but back teeth need extra protection. Sealants cover the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and keep out germs and food.

Having sealants put on teeth before they decay will also save time and money in the long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth.

Who should get dental sealants?

Kids should get dental sealants on their permanent teeth as soon as the teeth come in, ideally between the ages of 5 and 7 before decay attacks the teeth. Other teeth with pits and grooves are usually sealed as soon as they appear which can be any time between 11 and 14 years of age.

Teenagers and young adults, who are more prone to cavities and decay whether that is because they are genetically prone to cavities, don’t have great oral hygiene habits, or lack access to dental care should consider getting dental sealants as a preventative measure.

Dentists in India and dentists in Delhi are counseling parents about the importance of dental sealants for their children. It is heartening to see that this is being received really well by the parents.

How long do dental sealants last?

Dental sealants can protect the teeth for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked at regular check-ups by a dentist to make sure that the seal is intact and they are not chipped, cracked or worn away.  If dental sealants are worn down, it’s possible for decay to get under the sealant.

Are sealants effective?

Dental sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of cavities in the teeth that are covered.  Decades of research demonstrate that coating the biting surface of 6-year molars with a sealant can reduce cavities by up to nearly 80% immediately, and up to 60% for four years or more.

How to care for 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. Checking for wear and tear on the sealants is important, though they should last for up to 10 years. During this time, your child will benefit from a preventive treatment proven to reduce decay by more than 70 percent.

It is very important to clean your teeth. The smooth, sealed surface is now much easier to keep clean and healthy with normal brushing. Using fluoride toothpaste, last thing at night and at least one other time during the day will help to protect your teeth. Pit and fissure sealing reduces tooth decay and the number of fillings you might need.

Advantages

• Paired with good oral health care, sealants are 100-percent effective against cavities in teeth that are sealed and properly maintained.
• Minimally invasive, safe and effective preventive procedure.
• Costs less than getting a cavity filled.

Dental sealants have been proven a safe and cost-efficient dental procedure for patients prone to cavities. The procedure is totally pain free, and the teeth do not feel any difference afterwards.

Preventive treatments in children especially dental sealants in children are given lot of importance in dental clinics in India.

Dental sealants do not protect against gum disease such as gingivitis, oral cancer or many common dental conditions but regular dental checkups are vital to monitor overall oral health.

Parents should consider sealants as a preventive measure in their child’s oral health and discuss this option with their dentist.

Posted By – Dr. Suprriya B Bhatia