No matter how much you take care of your child's teeth and brush them twice a day, sometimes a little decay starts to appear on the back molars, right? No matter how hard we brush, there's a lot of room for food particles and bacteria to get stuck in the deep grooves in those teeth. So today we're talking about a good, simple solution to this. It's called Dental Sealants.
Simply put, what are these dental sealants?
Think of it like wearing a raincoat to keep out the rain. In a similar way, sealants are a thin, liquid "raincoat" that protects teeth from bacteria and food particles that can eat them. They are typically applied to the surfaces of our back teeth (premolars and molars), which are used to chew food.
This liquid coating is applied over the deep pits of the tooth, and the dentist uses a special light (curing light) to strengthen and bond it to the tooth. It then acts as a protective shield for the tooth.
What are these made of? Are they harmless?
Not at all. These sealants are made using special materials that are medically approved and do not harm the body in any way. There are mainly two types.
- Resins: These are a type of material, obtained from plants or produced artificially, that is also used to fill teeth.
- Glass ionomers: This is a special type of glass powder mixed with a water-soluble acid.
Both of these materials are very safe for teeth.
Who is this sealant treatment best for?
While sealants can be beneficial for anyone of any age, they are especially important for some people. Let's take a look at who they are.
| Group | Description |
|---|---|
| Children and young children | The cavity-prone years are between the ages of 6 and 14. So, applying sealants as soon as your child's permanent teeth erupt provides great protection for those teeth. |
| Adults | Any adult who does not have any decay or fillings in their maxillary teeth can undergo this treatment to prevent future tooth decay. |
| Young children with milk teeth | Sealants are not usually applied to baby teeth. However, if some children have very deep cavities in their baby teeth, they can be used to protect them from decay. Because it is very important for baby teeth to be healthy to allow the permanent teeth to come in. |
Is it painful to apply sealants? How is it done?
This is the best thing. This treatment is completely painless, very simple, and can be completed in a few minutes . You can do it on the same day you go to the dentist. No special preparation is required.
Here's how the doctor does it:
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Teeth cleaning | First, your doctor will thoroughly clean the tooth selected for sealant placement. |
| 2. Drying the tooth | Next, dry the tooth thoroughly and place something like a piece of cotton in the area to prevent saliva from getting in the way. |
| 3. Tooth surface preparation | To ensure that the sealant adheres well to the tooth, a special acid etching solution is applied to the tooth surface to slightly roughen it. This is painless. |
| 4. Wash and dry | Rinse off the liquid and dry the tooth thoroughly again. |
| 5. Applying sealant | Now, apply the sealant liquid, just like you would paint, to cover the pits on the tooth. |
| 6. Fixing by light | Finally, a special blue light (curing light) is used to harden and strengthen the sealant. That's it! The job is done. |
What should I be careful about after treatment?
You won't feel any discomfort after getting a sealant. You can eat, drink, go to work, and go to school right away. But remember one thing. If you eat very hard, sticky foods (for example: toffee, chewing gum, hard popcorn kernels) frequently, the sealant may come off or break. So it's best to eat such foods in moderation.
Is this really necessary? What are the pros and cons?
Simply put, it is a very effective and cost-effective way to prevent tooth decay. When you consider the cost and pain of having a tooth filled or having a root canal, a sealant is a very good investment.
Main advantages:
- The risk of tooth decay (cavities) is greatly reduced.
- Painless, quick treatment.
- Protects deep places that a toothbrush cannot reach.
Things to consider (disadvantages):
- These don't last forever. They usually last about 5 years . Your dentist will check them every 6 months and advise you to reapply them if necessary.
- This cannot be applied to teeth that are already decayed or to teeth that have had fillings .
- It is very important to apply this correctly . If it is not applied correctly, bacteria can get trapped under the sealant and cause tooth decay. Therefore, it is important to have this done by a qualified and experienced dentist.
Ultimately, the best way to find out if sealant treatment is right for you or your child is to talk to your dentist about it. He or she will examine your teeth and give you the best advice.
Take-Home Message
- Dental sealants are like a protective "raincoat" applied to teeth to protect them from tooth decay.
- This is a simple treatment that is completely painless and can be done in just a few minutes.
- This is especially useful for children and adolescents between the ages of 6-14.
- A sealant usually lasts about 5 years and should be reapplied if necessary.
- Sealants cannot be applied to teeth that are already decayed or have fillings.
- To find out if this is right for you or your child, talk to your dentist.
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