Sealants are a safe, effective preventive tool all the best dentists in Saskatoon recommend to guard your child’s smile against tooth decay.
Tooth decay affects more than 1 in 4 elementary school kids. But timely use of dental sealants can cut that risk substantially!
Let’s explore how sealants arm your child’s chompers in the crusade against cavities and why every parent should consider them.
What Are Dental Sealants and How Do They Prevent Tooth Decay?
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings painted onto the pits and grooves of teeth to create a protective shield against invading bacteria and acids that promote tooth decay.
Our teeth have tons of tiny nooks and crannies that make perfect hiding spots for plaque-forming germs to congregate. When sugar hits this plaque, acids begin eroding enamel, ultimately turning into cavities.
Sealants serve as an impenetrable barrier that keeps those pesky bacteria out!
They basically smoothen the surfaces of teeth, denying decay-causing bugs access to their favorite burrows. This dramatically slashes the risk of cavities developing.
Plus, they’re colorless, so nobody will even be able to tell they’re there!
So, in essence:
Sealants = Defense Fortresses Against Tooth Decay!
Why Are Sealants So Critical for Protecting Kids’ Smiles?
Developing teeth have profound vulnerabilities that leave them highly prone to decay.
The grooves and depressions that emerging teeth are riddled with provide the ideal breeding ground for plaque-forming bacteria. This leaves infant and childhood teeth especially defenseless against attacking acids.
And decay onset during these formative years can kickstart a lifetime battle against oral disease!
That’s why getting sealants placed as soon as possible offers youngsters critical reinforcements against tooth decay!
The American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both endorse sealant use on vulnerable teeth as soon they erupt.
Sealants strengthen little ones’ natural resistances right out the gate – before tooth decay ever gets a foothold!
What to Expect During the Sealant Placement Process
Putting on sealants is a simple, painless process that takes just a few minutes!
Here’s the drill:
- The tooth/teeth getting sealed are cleaned and “etched” with a mild acid gel
- The surface is rinsed and dried
- Liquid sealant material is “painted” into the crevices with a tiny brush and hardens rapidly under a special light
- Your kid gets to pick a great-tasting toothpaste flavor to wash out any taste!
And voila – their defense fortification against cavities is complete!
It often feels like getting a mini-pedicure for teeth – zero pain with a pretty payoff!
So sealant placement is a smooth, stress-free experience kids shouldn’t fret about!
How Effective Are Sealants at Halting Tooth Decay in Kids?
Research consistently confirms sealants radically reduce cavity risk when applied to vulnerable teeth.
One major study tracked sealants and non-sealants over nearly a decade across thousands of treated teeth.
It found sealants slashed cavity rates by a whopping 76% in children compared to unsealed teeth!
More benefits revealed:
- Just 5% of sealed teeth developed decay after 10 years
- Vs. 23% of teeth left unprotected by sealants
So sealants conferred an 18% reduction in tooth decay – nearly quintupling defensive capacities!
These dramatic benefits sealed the deal on sealants’ value:
76% fewer cavities make a life-changing difference in children’s long-term oral health!
And the earlier sealants enter the equation, the better!
Research shows decay risk drops 70-80% in newly erupted teeth sealed before any cavities develop vs. a 50-60% decrease in teeth with early decay getting sealed later.
So early preventive action is vital!
How Long Do Sealants Last?
With proper placement technique, most sealants endure 5-10 years before needing touchup or reapplication. Proper home care and avoiding chewing ice or hard candies help them last.
Set a calendar reminder to check in with your dentist around their expiration date about resealing vulnerable spots for continued protection.
Any Safety Concerns With Dental Sealants?
Negative impacts from sealants are remarkably rare. No adverse reactions or side effects have been confirmed.
But incorrectly applied sealants can fail prematurely or indirectly trigger decay if bonding to tooth structure is compromised.
That’s why ensuring proper placement by a skilled dental professional is key for safety and durability!
The Verdict? Dental Sealants Rock!
For safeguarding little ones’ precious smiles against the ravages of tooth decay during their vulnerable early years, sealants are indispensable weapons in the fight!
Their protective powers slash cavity rates up to 80% – allowing kids to eat and smile with confidence!
So, for your next checkup, ask your dentist whether these emerging pearly whites would benefit from the cavity-blocking superpowers of dental sealants!
