Dental Sealants
What are dental sealants?
Sealants, are thin plastic coatings painted on the chewing surface of the back teeth. Sealants are put on in dentists' offices, clinics, and sometimes in schools. Getting sealants put on is simple and painless. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth. Sealants are clear or tinted. Tinted sealants are easier to see.
Why get sealants?
By covering the chewing surfaces of the molars, sealants keep out the germs and food that cause decay.
What causes decay?
Germs in the mouth change the sugar in food to acid. The acid can eat a cavity in the tooth. The decay has to be cleaned out by drilling and then the tooth has to be filled. Of course a healthy tooth is the best tooth. So it is important to prevent decay. That's why sealants are so important.
Why do back teeth decay so easily?
The chewing surfaces of back teeth are rough and uneven because they have small pits and grooves. Food and germs can get stuck in the pits and stay there a long time because toothbrush bristles cannot brush them away.
Who should get sealants?
Children should get sealants on their permanent molars as soon as the teeth come in -- before decay attacks the teeth. The first permanent molars -- called "6 year molars" -- come in between the ages of 5 and 7. The second permanent molars -- "12 year molars" -- come in when a child is between 11 and 14 years old. The other teeth with pits and grooves -- called "premolars" or "bicuspids" -- right in front of the molars, also may need to be sealed. Teenagers and young adults without decay or fillings in their molars also may get sealants.
Should sealants also be put on baby teeth?
Your dentist might think it is a good idea, especially if your child's baby teeth have deep pits and grooves. Baby teeth play an important role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth -- so it is important to keep baby teeth healthy so they don't fall out early.
How much do sealants cost?
Sealing one tooth usually costs less than filling one tooth. Having sealants put on healthy teeth now will save you money in the long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth. But the most important reason for getting sealants is to avoid tooth decay. Healthy teeth last a lifetime!
Does insurance pay for sealants?
Many insurance companies pay for sealants. Check with your company for details.
How long do sealants last?
Sealants can last up to 10 years. But they need to be checked at regular dental check-ups to make sure they are not chipped or worn away. Over time, sealants can be damaged or worn through chewing and through the abrasive effects of chewing sticky foods, crunchy candy or ice cubes. The dentist can repair sealants by adding more sealant material.
What if a small cavity is accidentally covered by a sealant?
The decay will not spread because it is sealed off from its food and germ supply.
Are sealants new?
No, sealants are not new. They have been around for about 25 years. Research by NIDCR and others led to the development of sealants in the early 1960s. But many people still do not know what sealants are.
How are sealants put on?
Besides sealants, are there other ways to prevent tooth decay?
Yes. The best way you can help prevent tooth decay is to brush with a fluoride toothpaste and drink fluoridated water (water is fluoridated in about half the cities and towns of the United States). If your water is not fluoridated or if your teeth need more fluoride to stay healthy, your dentist can prescribe it in the form of a gel, mouthrinse or tablet. If you have a baby or a young child that needs fluoride and do not have fluoride in your water, your physician (pediatrician) or dentist can prescribe fluoride drops or tablets. Fluoride is the best defense against tooth decay!
Fluoride ...
- makes teeth more resistant to decay
- repairs tiny areas of decay before they become big cavities
- makes germs in the mouth less able to cause decay
Fluoride helps the smooth surfaces of the teeth the most. It is less effective on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars). Regular brushing - with fluoride toothpaste - and flossing also help prevent tooth decay. Sealants and fluoride together can prevent almost all tooth decay.
For more information about sealants call your dentist, state or local dental society, or health department. Sometimes sealants are put on at school - check with your school or local health department to see if there is such a program in your area.
Sealants protect the chewing surfaces. Fluoride protects the smooth surfaces.
Sealants + Fluoride = Maximum Protection Against Cavities.
- Where do I obtain a copy of an Indiana birth or death certificate?
- What is INShape Indiana?
- How do I create an INShape account?
- Where is the INShape Indiana login page?
- Can I talk to an INShape Indiana fitness trainer about my specific health needs?
- Is the old INShape Indiana tracking system still available?
- Can I talk to an INShape Indiana nutritionist about my specific health needs?
- As an adopted child, how do I get information about my birth parents?
- How do I request a representative from INShape Indiana to attend my event?
- How can I find out more about the flu epidemic?
