For children, cavities are a common problem that begins at an early age. Tooth decay affects nearly a fifth of 2–4-year-olds, more than half of 8-year-olds, and more than three-fourths of 17-year-olds.
Promoting Use of Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. According to the CDC, they are a safe, effective way to prevent cavities among schoolchildren, by providing a physical barrier so that cavity-causing bacteria cannot invade the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
In some cases, sealants can even stop tooth decay that has already started. Sealants significantly reduce a child's risk for having untreated cavities.
Healthy People 2010 calls for half of all U.S. children to have dental sealants by 2010, but currently less than 25% of schoolchildren do. Children in some racial and ethnic groups are less likely than others to have sealants. For example, only 10% of Mexican American 8-year-olds have sealants on their teeth.
When should my 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 routinely to susceptible tooth surfaces in conjunction 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. Pit and fissure surfaces of these teeth are as susceptible to dental caries as the first permanent molars of younger children. Therefore, young teens need to receive dental sealants shortly after the eruption of their second permanent molars.
And according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, sealants are 'very affordable, especially in view of the valuable decay protection it offers your child.' You should check with your insurance company about coverage though and with your dentist to see how much they will cost. Considering the cost of filling a cavity, or even worse, getting a root canal, paying for sealants is likely a cost effective way to keep your child's teeth cavity free.
Do dental sealants replace fluoride?
No. Fluorides, such as those used in community water, toothpaste, gels, varnish, and mouthrinse 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.
Source: CDC National Oral Health Surveillance System
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