How to Solve Problems with Your Dental Sealants?

How to Solve Problems with Your Dental Sealants?

Jul 01, 2021

Most children will likely develop cavities on the chewing surfaces of their back teeth or molars. The surfaces of the molars are not smooth as other areas of the teeth and are populated by pits and fissures, helpful to trap food particles and bacteria. Unfortunately, toothbrush bristles can’t reach into these tiny crevices, creating perfect conditions for tooth decay.

Newly emerged children’s molars are not as resistant to tooth decay as adult teeth—the hard outer layer of the enamel protecting the teeth changes with age to become stronger. Children receive help from fluoride available in toothpaste and water or topical treatments from dental offices to strengthen their enamel. Unfortunately, even fluoride can’t get into tiny crevices regularly. Thankfully an alternative solution is available to deal with tooth decay with dental sealants.

Dental sealants are plastic layers painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, making them resistant to decay. As a result, a tooth with dental sealants is less likely to develop cavities that require expensive dental treatment and, most importantly, cause discomfort to your child.

The Placement of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants dental states you may think of the plastic layer as a mini plastic filling but must reassure your child that it isn’t similar to having a cavity filled. The placement of dental sealants is entirely painless because the tooth enamel does not contain any nerves. Initially, the dentist providing the sealants examines the tooth or teeth that need sealing. If they observe any minimal decay, it is gently removed. The tooth is then cleaned and dried.

Dental sealants service will then apply an etching solution to slightly rough the surface to help the sealant adhere better to the tooth. Next, the tooth is again rinsed and dried before painting the plastic resin on the tooth and hardening it in minutes with the help of ultraviolet light.

Dental sealants protect against 80 percent of cavities for the first couple of years after application. The protection continues against 50 percent of cavities for four years of the application. After that, the sealant remains on the child’s teeth for approximately nine years. However, more often than not, dental sealants need re-application because they are prone to chipping and wearing off.

Problems Associated with Dental Sealants

In 2012 research received widespread coverage in the media, raising concerns that trace amounts of bisphenol A found in some dental resins may contribute to behavioral problems among children. The authors, however, confirmed they had not proven that the BPA in dental sealants treatment caused these problems. In reality, the prevalence of BPA is far higher in food and beverage packing and many other dental restorative materials. Thereafter the American Dental Association and the American Academy of pediatric dentistry have both reaffirmed support for the use of dental sealants.

Besides the above, the most significant problem associated with dental sealants is the chipping and wearing off after the application. However, parents encouraging their children to brush and floss appropriately and visiting dentists for routine exams and cleanings comfortably overcome this problem when they have dental sealants reapplied on the child’s teeth by the dentist.

How Do Dental Sealants Benefit Children?

Research conducted by the CDC confirms that children without dental sealants are three times more likely to develop cavities to report lost school time because they cannot eat, sleep, or indulge in other activities. In addition, children without sealants need expensive dental treatments comfortably avoidable by parents by having their child’s teeth sealed. Furthermore, the placement of dental sealants doesn’t cost a great deal requiring merely $ 30-$ 60 per tooth to protect the tooth for nearly a decade.

Parents must understand tooth decay is an entirely preventable disease but is the leading cause of tooth loss among children and adults. Adults can also have dental sealants on their teeth if they aren’t affected by any dental conditions and have unrestored teeth. However, children’s molars emerging at age six and 12 are best protected by coating dental sealants as a preventive measure against tooth decay.

Dental sealants are an excellent method of decay prevention all parents must consider for their child. Getting the child to maintain excellent dental hygiene, preventing them from frequently snacking on sugary foods and beverages, and visiting dentists for routine exams and cleanings every six months are also essential even after children’s teeth are sealed. It helps parents overcome the problems associated with dental sealants comfortably without concerns.