When Do You Need Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a preventive measure against cavities on your molars because they help prevent holes in your back teeth for many years. Sealants safeguard the chewing surfaces of the molars by creating a protective barrier to block out germs and food. After an application, dental sealants protect against 80 percent of cavities for the initial two years, and the protection continues against 50 percent of holes for another four years. The sealants remain on your teeth until a decade.

Children are the preliminary recipients of dental sealants because it is the optimal way to prevent cavities on their molars. The CDC acknowledges the benefits of this relatively straightforward and inexpensive process for children. Dental sealants are safe and effective and have remained so for over four decades.

What Precisely Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants in Etobicoke, ON, are thin coatings of durable plastic painted on the chewing surfaces of the molars to prevent cavities from developing. School-age children with sealants on their molars are three times less likely to develop cavities than children without them. Roughly 43 percent of children between six and 11 from higher-income households have sealants on their molars. Unfortunately, children from lower-income families are 20 percent less likely to have sealants on their teeth, making them susceptible to cavities.

Which Is the Better Option Filling or Sealing a Tooth?

Filling a tooth confirms tooth decay already exists in the mouth, and a cavity has created permanent damage. The filling procedure requires drilling the tooth and placing fillers to replace the lost tooth structure. Getting dental fillings costs higher sealants, costing only $ 30-$ 60 per tooth but preventing significant expenditure and pain for children. Furthermore, some insurance companies and discount plans can reduce the prices. In addition, getting dental sealants is a quick, effortless, and comfortable way to prevent cavities.

Teeth without cavities also remain more robust and healthier than a tooth with fillings or untreated decay.

When Can Children Get Dental Sealants?

A sealant for teeth helps prevent most cavities if applied soon after the molars erupt at six and 12. Dental cavities are a chronic concern among children and teenagers and, if left untreated, cause pain and infection besides problems when eating, speaking, and learning. Children report lost school time when they have cavities on their teeth because they need treatment from dentists to restore the tooth. Unfortunately, despite being immensely effective against holes, sealants are underutilized because of the lack of information about them.

How Intensive Is the Sealant Procedure?

Getting dental sealants is straightforward and painless. However, the sealant application is technically sensitive and needs an experienced dentist to place them on children’s teeth. In addition, children are generally uncooperative during medical or dental visits.

Children might have to sit on the dentist’s chair with their mouths open for approximately 30 minutes for the professional to complete the procedure. The targeted tooth is first cleaned, and an etching solution is applied on the chewing surface for about 15 seconds. The tooth is rinsed and dried to ensure saliva doesn’t contaminate it. Next the dental sealant is applied to the tooth, and finally, the dentist uses ultraviolet light to harden the sealant to form a protective barrier over the pits and fissures of the molars.

Adults without tooth decay can also consider getting dental sealants on their teeth.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Sealants?

If applied by an experienced dentist using the perfect technique, dental sealants last for a lifetime. However, they might require replacements and monitoring during regular dental care visits.

Children developing molars have pits and fissures convenient for trapping food particles and bacteria. Therefore getting the molars sealed soon after they erupt proves beneficial for children because it prevents unnecessary complications. Parents also benefit because they don’t have to run around to dentists seeking emergency treatments for their children complaining about toothache because of cavities.

Dental sealants are a preventive measure that children and adults without restrictions can consider. However, the application doesn’t negate the need for maintaining appropriate dental hygiene by brushing teeth twice a day, flossing at least once, and avoiding sticky and starchy foods and sweetened beverages. Besides monitoring the sealant application, dental exams and cleanings are also essential for plaque and tartar removal.

Regency Dental Center provides dental sealants for children and adults if required. Give your kids a protective barrier on their molars to prevent unnecessary complications and expenditure by scheduling an appointment with this practice today.