Dental Sealants Wareham MA

Children are prone to cavities for a couple of reasons. First, children tend to consume a large amount of sugar. Also, their oral hygiene skills are not the best, so unless parents are supervising them or actually doing the brushing for them, a child’s teeth can easily develop tooth decay.

Cavities tend to develop in your child’s mouth on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. This is because these surfaces are not smooth. They are filled with pits and fissures, which are the tiny grooves you may feel on the back teeth. These grooves trap bacteria and food particles, and since the bristles on a toothbrush can’t always reach into these crevices, this creates the perfect conditions for tooth decay.

Contributing to decay is the fact that a child’s permanent teeth are not as resistant to decay as adult teeth. The enamel on the teeth tends to stronger as we age, which is why adults do not usually get cavities as often as children. Fluoride can strengthen the enamel. Fluoride can be found in some toothpaste and drinking water, but it’s hard to get fluoride into those pits and fissures on a regular basis. That’s why dentists recommend dental sealants.

Dental sealants smooth out the chewing surfaces of the back teeth through the use of invisible plastic coatings. These coatings make the teeth resistant to decay. In fact, sealants can reduce decay by as much as 70%.  A sealant will help protect your child’s teeth by preventing cavities and pain. Your child will also be less likely to need expensive dental treatment later on.

How Dental Sealants Are Placed

A sealant is sort of like a mini plastic filling, but is not the same as having a cavity filled. A sealant does not contain any nerves, so the process is painless. It is like painting a tooth.

The first step is to examine the tooth. The dentist can easily remove minimal decay. The tooth is then be cleaned and dried. Then the dentist will apply a special solution that will slightly roughen the surface. This will make the sealing material adhere better. The tooth is then rinsed and dried a second time. The sealant is then painted onto the tooth. This liquid quickly hardens. 

Dental sealants can contain small amounts of chemical bisphenol-A (BPA). According to a study from 2012, the BPA from dental resins may contribute to behavioral problems in children. However, while the authors found an association, there is actually no proof that BPA in dental sealants causes these problems. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association support the use of sealants.

Taking Care of Dental Sealants

Take care of sealed teeth the same way you would care for unsealed teeth. Your child should brush and floss daily and have regular professional cleanings. With proper care, sealants can last as long as 10 years. 

Contact Us Today

Sealants are a good way to prevent cavities and protect your child’s teeth. The dentists at Wareham Family Dental can determine if sealants are a good option for your child’s teeth. Ask about them at your child’s next dental exam. Call (508) 295-7476 and schedule an appointment today.