Dental Sealant – Way to protect teeth and prevent decay

Kids today are more prone to tooth decay due to changing food habits and poor maintenance, The enamel on kids teeth are immature and porous. It takes seven years for the porous, chalky enamel to be replaced by more mature, dense, hard, shiny enamel. Therefore children are more prone to cavities than adults.

Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities. They are thin protective coatings that are applied to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Most tooth decay in children and teens occurs on these surfaces.

Sealants protect the chewing surfaces from tooth decay by keeping germs and food particles out of these grooves by sealing these grooves.

Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. But toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing out” plaque and food

Which teeth are suitable for sealants?
Permanent molars are the most likely to benefit from sealants. The first molars usually come into the mouth when a child is about 6 years old. Second molars appear at about age 12. It is best if the sealant is applied soon after the teeth have erupted, before they have a chance to decay.

Why is sealing a tooth better than waiting for decay and filling the cavity?

Decay damages teeth permanently. Sealants protect them. Sealants are very cost effective and can save time, and the discomfort sometimes associated with dental fillings. Fillings are not permanent. Each time a tooth is filled, more drilling is done and the tooth becomes a little weaker.

Prevention is always better than cure- Get dental sealant done with this simple painless procedures in kids to avoid future pain and cavities