Why Choose Dental Sealants for Your Child’s Oral Health?
Our team of expat dentists in Singapore are big fans of dental sealants for kids. And that’s because there is a lot of research that supports their effectiveness. In fact, children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.
While making sure your child keeps up with their oral hygiene is the best way to protect their teeth from cavities, it can be difficult to clean every place in your child’s mouth. This is especially true for the back teeth that we use to chew, called molars. The grooves in our molars are often much deeper than they look and can be difficult to properly clean. And, if food gets left in your child’s teeth, this can eventually lead to a cavity.
Why cavities should be prevented
A cavity is a permanent hole in a tooth that can worsen if not treated. These dental cavities can cause significant pain and lead to infections, disrupting a child’s everyday life. If cavities are ignored, they can result in a dental abscess – a bacterial infection within the teeth, gums, or the bone that supports the teeth. This can eventually spread to other parts of the body if left unchecked.
Dental sealants are effective at helping prevent cavities
Here are some of the reasons why dentists recommend dental sealants for kids:
- Dental sealants can prevent 80% of cavities in the back teeth, where 9 in 10 cavities occur.
- Dental sealants help eliminate the need for expensive and invasive dental treatments – Applying sealants to school-aged children could save up to $300 million in dental treatment costs.
Even with all this important data, only 43% of children aged 6-11 have dental sealants!
When does my child need dental sealants?
And how long do they last? Sealants are most effective when applied shortly after the permanent molars come in, around ages 6 and 12. First molars typically start appearing around age 6, and second molars usually come through at around age 12. Want some more good news about dental sealants? Sealants can last up to 9 years, providing long-term protection against cavities.
Do adults need dental sealants?
Most adults do a good job warding off cavities because they are more disciplined about their oral hygiene, as well as getting their dental clean and exam twice a year. However, some adults might be more prone to cavities due to certain conditions like bruxism (teeth grinding) or medications that cause dry mouth. If you think you could benefit from dental sealants, book an appointment to speak with our dentist.
What is the process for dental sealants in children?
The application of dental sealants is painless and can be completed in one dental visit.
- A dental checkup in our Novena clinic that includes x-rays and cleaning to ensure the sealants are being placed on healthy teeth.
- After the teeth are examined and cleaned, the dentist preps the surfaces by applying a gel that the sealant resin will stick to. The patient rinses and then the teeth are allowed to dry completely.
- The dentist applies the sealant liquid with a small brush and uses a curing light to help speed up the drying process.
- Once the sealants have been placed, the dentist will perform a “bite check”, to make sure the bite has not significantly changed and the sealants feel comfortable
Doesn’t fluoride help prevent cavities?
Yes! Using appropriate fluoride toothpaste and treatments can help prevent cavities in children. But remember that sealants and fluoride work differently: fluoride prevents cavities by strengthening enamel, while sealants create a protective coating over the tooth. Dental sealants are an added level of protection.
Remember: The best way to prevent cavities always starts with your child’s daily oral hygiene regime and their regular trips to the dentist. With that said, dental sealants have been shown to be an effective, cost efficient way to keep your child’s teeth as healthy as possible during vulnerable years of development.
Does your child need dental sealants? Book an appointment at our Novena Dental Clinic today!
