Do you need dental sealants? |
Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing
surfaces of the back teeth. By covering the chewing surfaces of the
molars, sealants keep out the germs and food that cause decay. They
are put on in dentists' offices, clinics, and sometimes in schools.
Sealants are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a
shield over the tooth, a process that is simple and painless. They
are clear or tinted (tinted sealants are easier to see). Although
sealants have been around since the early 1960s, many people still
do not know what they are. In fact, fewer than 20 percent of
children in the United States have sealants.
Children should get sealants on their permanent molars as soon
as the teeth come in, before decay attacks the teeth. The first
permanent molars called "Six year molars" come in between the ages
of five and seven. The second permanent molars -- "12 year
molars"-- come in when a child is between 11 and 14 years old. The
other teeth with pits and grooves -- called premolars or bicuspids
-- right in front of the molars, also may need to be sealed.
Teenagers and young adults without decay or fillings in their
molars also may get sealants.
Your dentist might think it is a good idea, especially if your
child's baby teeth have deep pits and grooves. Baby teeth play an
important role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth
-- so it is important to keep baby teeth healthy so they don't fall
out early.
Sealants can last up to 10 years. But they need to be checked at
regular dental check-ups to make sure they are not chipped or worn
away. The dentist can repair sealants by adding more sealant
material.
Sealing one tooth usually costs less than filling one tooth.
Having sealants put on healthy teeth now will save you money in the
long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed
teeth. But the most important reason for getting sealants is to
avoid tooth decay. Healthy teeth can last a lifetime. Many
insurance companies pay for sealants, so check with your company
for details.
Germs in the mouth change the sugar in food to acid, which can
cause a cavity to form in the tooth. The chewing surfaces of the
molars are rough and uneven because they have small pits and
grooves. Food and germs can get stuck in the pits and stay there a
long time because toothbrush bristles cannot brush them away, and
this causes molars to decay easily. The decay is cleaned out by
drilling and then the tooth is filled.
The tooth is cleaned and dried, and cotton or other material is
put around it so that it stays dry. A solution is put on the tooth
surface that makes the tooth a little rough, something which helps
the sealant to stick. The tooth is then rinsed and dried, and new
cotton is put around the tooth so it stays dry. The sealant is
applied in liquid form and hardens in a few seconds. If a small
cavity is accidentally covered by a sealant, the decay won't spread
because it's sealed off from food and germs.
The best way you can help prevent tooth decay is to brush with a
fluoride toothpaste and drink fluoridated water (water is
fluoridated in about half the cities and towns of the United
States). If your water is not fluoridated or if your teeth need
more fluoride to stay healthy, your dentist can prescribe it in the
form of a gel, mouthrinse or tablet. If you
have a baby or a young child that needs fluoride and do not have
fluoride in your water, your physician (pediatrician) or dentist
can prescribe fluoride drops or tablets. Fluoride is the
best defense against tooth decay! Fluoride makes teeth more
resistant to decay, repairs tiny areas of decay before they become
big cavities, and makes germs in the mouth less able to cause
decay. Fluoride helps the smooth surfaces of the teeth the most,
but is less effective on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth
(molars). Regular brushing -- with fluoride toothpaste -- and
flossing also help prevent tooth decay. Sealants and fluoride
together can prevent almost all tooth decay.
For more information about sealants call your dentist, state or
local dental society, or health department. Sometimes sealants are
put on at school -- check with your school or local health
department to see if there is such a program in your area.
Seal out tooth decay. The National Institute of Dental
and Craniofacial Research website. Available at: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DiseasesAndConditions/Sealants/SealOutToothDecay.htm. Accessed November 3, 2005.
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