Research published in The Journal of the American Dental Association shows dental sealants can greatly reduce the risk of tooth decay in the back teeth (molars) in children, adolescents and adults. Both children and adults can benefit from sealants, but the earlier they are applied, the better, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Sealing molars as soon as they come in can keep them cavity-free from the start.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent tooth decay. The sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.

How Are Sealants Applied?

Applying sealant is a simple and painless process. It takes only a few minutes for your hygienist to apply the sealant to seal each tooth, as follows:

• The teeth are thoroughly cleaned.
• Each tooth is dried, and cotton or gauze is put around the tooth to keep it dry.
• A solution is put on the chewing surfaces of the teeth to roughen them up, which helps the sealant bond to the teeth.
• The teeth are rinsed and dried.
• Sealant is then painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

Dental sealants protect the crevices in your molars from tooth decay by “sealing out” plaque and food. Brushing and flossing are the best ways to help prevent cavities, but it’s not always easy to clean every nook and cranny of your teeth, especially those back molars that you use to grind and chew with.  Molars are rough, uneven and a place for leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria to hide.

Dental sealants act as a safety net to help keep those teeth clean. After sealant has been applied, it keeps those bits of food out and stops bacteria and acid from settling on your teeth. Dental sealants are not a substitute for brushing and flossing, but they can keep cavities from forming and may even stop early stages of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity.

Dental sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80 percent where 9 in 10 cavities occur in molars. This is especially important when it comes to your child’s dental health. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released a report on the importance of sealants for school-aged children. According to the CDC, “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.”

Who Can Get Sealants?

Children and adults can benefit from sealants, but the earlier you get them, the better. Your first molars appear around age 6, and second molars break through around age 12-14. Sealing these teeth as soon as they come through can keep them cavity-free from the start, which saves time, money and painful cavities in the long run. Adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.

Dental Visits for Your Children at Premier Dental of Eagle

Allowing children to become accustomed to regular dental care while they are young will set them up with good habits for life and they are much more likely to escape cavities when they establish those healthy habits early on.  Here are some other tips to keep mouths healthy: 

• Check-ups every six months are recommended by the ADA because regular dental visits are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. Click on this link to learn more about the importance of bi-annual check-ups.
• Regular dental visits will also allow Dr. Shane S. Porter to observe when your child’s molars start surfacing in the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14. The likelihood of developing decay in the crevices and grooves of the premolars and molars, increases in children and teenagers as they grow older. 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. Fluoride, found in toothpaste and drinking water, can strengthen enamel, but, it’s hard to get fluoride into those pits and crevices on a regular basis.
• Sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing; another reason for check-ups every 6 months.
• Taking care of your child’s teeth from infancy and early childhood, helps create a healthy foundation for ideal oral care through their formative years and into adulthood. Providing opportunities for children to become accustomed to regular dental care while they are young will set them up for life.
• Children who are taught to trust their dentist, how to properly clean and take care of their teeth and those who get sealants are more likely to escape cavities. Follow this link for more guidelines on how to care of your young child’s teeth before the permanent teeth start to grow in.

Dr. Porter and his team have been providing superior General, Family, Cosmetic and Restorative dental care since 1999. Located in Eagle, Idaho, they also provide treatment to patients in the surrounding communities of Star, Middleton, Meridian, Garden City, and Boise, Idaho. Check out our website to see the extensive list of services and expertise we provide.

We invite you to call or visit us today to set up your family’s next visit with our team of experts. Call Premier Dentistry of Eagle at 208-546-0655 today to schedule an appointment and be sure to ask Dr. Porter about the use of dental sealants to prevent cavities for you or your children.