Dental News you Can Use: Are sealants a good idea?

 
By Dr. Mel

Not a good idea...a GREAT idea.  About eighty percent of all cavities occur on the chewing surfaces of back teeth.  These teeth are frequently deeply grooved making them more difficult to clean and more prone to dental decay.  Think of your kitchen's tile (smooth and easy to keep clean like the fronts and sides of teeth) vs. the grout (rough and hard to keep clean like the grooves on the chewing surfaces).  Sealants flow into these grooves and harden leaving a smooth easily cleaned and cavity-resistant surface.  The food and bacteria that cause cavities are now "sealed" out of those grooves
 
Sealants are easily applied.  The teeth are cleaned and dried thoroughly.  Next, the sealant is painted on, similar to nail polish.  However, this special liquid hardens faster than nail polish thanks to a special blue light that cures the sealant, usually within thirty seconds.  They are very cost effective too, especially if you have dental insurance which often pays for sealants in full. 
 
Speak with your dentist to help determine which teeth are best suited for sealants; additional teeth may need to be sealed over time as more teeth come into your child's mouth.  Be sure your dentist does a thorough exam with X-rays to assure that there are no pre-existing cavities in need of treatment before sealants are placed.