You might be surprised to hear that the single most common chronic disease of childhood is the cavity.  The CDC reports that “More than half of children aged 6 to 8 have had a cavity in at least one of their baby (primary) teeth. More than half of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have had a cavity in at least one of their permanent teeth.” This means that the chances of your son or daughter having had a cavity are pretty high! Even if they haven’t, they could always get one in the future. For parents who want to look out for their children’s dental health, it’s worth considering what dental sealants are and how they might benefit your son or daughter.      

What are dental sealants?

            Dental sealants are a thin type of plastic that dentists paint over the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Primarily, they are applied on the molars and premolars. This material then bonds to the contours of the teeth. This creates a smooth surface that prevents food and debris from getting caught. The protective shield they form is how they get their name. As WebMD puts it, “Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by ‘sealing out’ plaque and food.’”

Do they work?

            We’re glad you asked! Sealants are remarkably effective in preventing cavities. The CDC warns that dental sealants are an underused tool, and we would be wise to take note. They report, “Once applied, sealants protect against 80% of cavities for 2 years and continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to 4 years.” If you could protect your child against 80% of cavities for two years through simply painting a sealant on their back teeth, wouldn’t you want to have it done? In addition, the CDC notes that “children aged 6 to 11 years without sealants have almost three times more first molar cavities than children with sealants.” Clearly, this is not a tool to discard.

How do I know if my child needs them?

            Given the remarkable effectiveness of dental sealants in preventing cavities, it’s important to consider whether your child needs them. If they’re between the ages of 6 and 14 and their premolars and molars have come in, the answer is most likely yes. WebMD states, “Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14.”

            However, dentists may encourage parents to apply sealants earlier than age 6 in special cases—for instance, if a baby’s teeth develop with deep depressions or grooves. WebMD continues, “Because baby teeth play such an important role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth, it’s important to keep these teeth healthy so they are not lost too early.” Considering the significant success of dental sealants, it’s worth looking into them for your child, no matter their age.        

Can adults get sealants too?

            At this point you might be thinking, this sounds like an easy way to avoid cavities. Can I get sealants, too? Unless you have decay or fillings in your molars, you could—your insurance just might not cover it. Typically, insurance only covers dental sealants for those under 18.

            As we’ve discussed, sealants are a remarkably effective tool for preventing cavities and promoting dental health. They are so effective that the CDC is sponsoring an initiative in 21 states to encourage school-based dental sealant programs. This provides children with dental sealants at school! These programs have been found highly successful, “prevent[ing] more than 3 million cavities and sav[ing] up to $300 million in dental treatment costs.” Speak with the dentist today about whether your child is a good candidate for dental sealants. These are underused tools in the dental toolkit. We want your child to have a happy, healthy, and cavity-free smile! To schedule your next appointment, contact our office today. We hope to see you soon.