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Dental Sealants
School Age Kids K-5
What are Dental Sealants?
Why Should a Child get Dental Sealants?
When Should a Child get Dental Sealants?
Are Dental Sealants Just for Kids?
How Long do Dental Sealants Last?
Do Dental Sealants Replace Fluoride?
What are Dental Sealants?
- A dental sealant (also called a pit and fissure sealant) is a plastic material that is put on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent cavities. Sealants provide a physical barrier so cavity-causing bacteria cannot invade the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth. A dentist or other health care provider must apply sealants to the teeth.
Why Should a Child get Dental Sealants?
- First permanent molars erupt into the mouth at about age 6 years. Placing sealants on these teeth shortly after they erupt protects them from developing caries in areas of the teeth where food and bacteria collect. If sealants were applied to susceptible tooth surfaces along with the appropriate use of fluoride, most tooth decay in children could be prevented.
- Second permanent molars erupt into the mouth at about age 12 years. Therefore, young teens need to receive dental sealants shortly after the eruption of their second permanent molars.
When Should a Child get Dental Sealants?
- Fluoridated water is not
available to everyone in their communities, but fluoride is available in
other forms.
- Dietary fluoride supplements
are available only by prescription and are intended for children aged 6
months to 16 years who live in nonfluoridated areas.
Are Dental Sealants Just for Kids?
- The potential to develop pit and fissure decay begins early in life, so children and teenagers should receive dental sealants. Some adults at high risk of decay can benefit from sealants as well. The dentist can determine the benefit from dental sealants for an adult.
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How Long do Dental Sealants Last?
- Tooth decay affects both the person and the community. For the individual it is painful and costly. For the community it may be lost time at work. Fluoride is helpful because it:
- Helps protect against tooth decay in children and adults.
Repairs weak spots that could become cavities (holes in teeth) on the surface of the tooth.
- Reduces the amount of money people need to spend on dental treatment.
- Saves the community time and money (time away from work and school).
- Reduces discomfort and pain caused by tooth decay.
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Do Dental Sealants Replace Fluoride?
- No. Fluorides, such as those used in community water, toothpaste, gels, varnish, and mouth rinse also help to prevent decay. Fluoride works best on the smooth surfaces of teeth. The chewing surfaces on the back teeth, however, have tiny grooves where decay often begins. Sealants keep cavity-causing bacteria out of the grooves by covering them with a safe plastic coating. Sealants and fluorides work together to prevent tooth decay.
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