3 Common Questions about Dental Sealants

The disease that tops the list for the single most common chronic disease of childhood is not the flu, the stomach bug, or the common cold, but the cavity.  The CDC reports that “More than half of children aged 6 to 8 have had a cavity in at least one of their baby (primary) teeth. More than half of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have had a cavity in at least one of their permanent teeth.” If your son or daughter hasn’t had a cavity already, chances are, they’ll get one before they leave adolescence. For parents who want to look out for their children’s dental health, it’s worth considering what dental sealants are and how they might benefit your son or daughter. So today, we’ll answer three important questions that people have surrounding this crucial tool: what it is, whether it’s effective, and whether it’s right for your child.

What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are a thin type of plastic that dentists paint over the chewing surfaces of the teeth, focusing on the molars and premolars. This material then bonds to the contours of the teeth, creating a smooth surface that prevents food and debris from getting caught. The protective shield they form is how they get their name. “Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by ‘sealing out’ plaque and food.” Dental sealants are not meant to treat cavities, except perhaps in very minor cases. To repair a cavity, the dentist almost always uses cavity fillings. Dental sealants are preventative treatment. By “sealing out” those bits of bacteria and debris that would otherwise cling to the teeth, the sealants guard against cavities developing.

Do they work?

This is perhaps the most important question, and it is a resounding yes. Sealants are remarkably effective in preventing cavities. According to the CDC, “Once applied, sealants protect against 80% of cavities for 2 years and continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to 4 years.” On the other hand, “children aged 6 to 11 years without sealants have almost three times more first molar cavities than children with sealants.” [Emphasis added] These statistics demonstrate that you can make a significant impact on your child’s dental health with just the simple application of a protective coating. Dental sealants are so effective that the CDC is sponsoring an initiative in 21 states to encourage programs that provide children with dental sealants at school. The programs have been found highly successful, “prevent[ing] more than 3 million cavities and sav[ing] up to $300 million in dental treatment costs.” As you can see, this simple step is radically useful for improving dental health.

Does my child need them?

We’ve seen that these are wildly effective tools for cavity prevention. The next logical question is whether your child is a good candidate for them. If they’re between the ages of 6 and 14 and their premolars and molars have come in, the answer is most likely yes. As one oral care guide states, “Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14.” Those crucial years of development are the prime time to have the dentist apply protective sealants on your child’s teeth. However, in some cases, the dentist might even recommend sealants earlier. If a baby’s teeth develop with deep grooves or depressions, they may need sealants to protect them from cavities in that vulnerable stage. It may not seem important whether baby teeth fall out, but those little pearly whites are actually performing the vital task of saving space for adult teeth to enter and develop properly. Considering the significant success of dental sealants, it’s worth looking into them for your child, no matter their age.   

Next Steps

So, what are dental sealants? They are a thin plastic covering that goes over the chewing surfaces, especially the premolars and molars. The goal is not to treat cavities, but to prevent them from developing. They are remarkably effective at that job, protecting against 80% of cavities for two years after their application. Unless they’ve had them applied recently, your child is very likely to be a good candidate for dental sealants. Despite how excellent they are, the CDC reports that “this effective intervention still remains underused.” We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity! Speak with the dentist today about whether your child is a good candidate for dental sealants. These are valuable tools in the dental toolkit, and we want your child to have a happy and healthy smile. To schedule your next appointment, contact our office today. We hope to see you soon.