Defending Your Children’s Teeth: The Value of Sealants
Dental sealants were first introduced in the 1960s to provide a plastic coating on teeth. The sealants protect the teeth from bacteria that cause tooth decay and cavities.
Key takeaways:
- Dental sealants are recommended for children when their first molars grow at between 5 and 7 years and yet again when the next set of molars grows at 11 through to 14 years.
- A study indicates that children without dental sealant treatment had cavities in 77 percent of their teeth compared to 27 percent of teeth in those with sealants.
- Resin-based sealants and glass ionomer sealants are the most common with the difference being the resin based lasts longer.
The review estimated that in a population of cavity-free children with a 40 percent chance of getting a first cavity over the next two years without sealants, application of sealants would reduce the rate to just 6 percent.
Read the full story here
Do you have experience treating children?