Dental sealants have become a popular preventive dental treatment, especially for children and youngsters. Your dentist may have advised you to apply dental sealants at some point throughout your child’s or your own dental care to help prevent cavities. These thin, plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth act as a barrier, protecting them from food particles, bacteria, and acids that can lead to tooth decay. But are dental sealants truly safe? Let’s find out!
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a thin, transparent or white coating that is placed to the molars and premolars, the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant forms a barrier that keeps food particles and plaque out of the teeth by bonding to the tooth enamel. Sealants are an excellent method of preventing cavities in both adults and children, and they can endure for a number of years.
They come in two varieties: glass ionomer and resin-based. The plastic substance used to make resin-based sealants sticks to the tooth enamel. Fluoride ions released by glass ionomer sealants aid in preventing cavities in teeth.
Dental Sealants Safety
In general, dental sealants are thought to be both safe and effective. They have a long history of usage and a solid reputation for avoiding cavities. The following are important details about dental sealants’ safety:
- FDA Approval: Dental sealants are approved by the FDA and are considered safe for use.
- Minimal Risk: There is little chance of adverse consequences from this short and painless operation.
- Material Safety: Dental sealants are made of safe and reliable materials, and any potential risks are minimal.
- Long-Term Benefits: Sealants offer long-term cavity prevention and can endure for a number of years.
Who Needs Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are often applied to children and teens. However, this procedure is equally beneficial for people whose molars do not have decay or dental fillings. Sealants are often recommended for those whose rear teeth are susceptible to decay.
Sealants should usually be applied to children’s premolars and permanent molars as soon as they erupt. Their teeth will be protected with dental sealants during the cavity-prone years (ages 6 through 14).
How Are Dental Sealants Applied?
The technique of applying dental sealants is easy and painless. Your dentist can apply the sealant to each tooth in a matter of minutes. Your dentist will:
- Make sure your teeth are clean.
- To keep the surfaces of your teeth dry, pat dry and wrap a piece of cotton gauze over the affected region.
- To help the sealants stick correctly, apply a tiny bit of an acid etching solution to your teeth-biting surfaces to roughen them up.
- Dry and rinse your teeth.
- In order for the sealant substance to stick directly to your tooth, paint it onto your enamel.
- To harden the sealant substance, expose it to a curing light.
Final Say!
Dental sealants are declared a safe and reliable method to stop tooth decay. They provide an effective method of tooth protection, particularly in high-risk locations, and have been used successfully for a long time with FDA approval.
If you have further queries about dental sealants, consult our expert dentist, Dr. Viraj Shah, at Integrity Dental. Call us at (586) 977-0300 to book your appointment today!