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Sealants
Tooth decay also known as cavities results in pain and infection. One effective
option to help prevent cavities is dental sealants – a thin plastic film painted
on the chewing surface of teeth.
Dental sealants have been proven a safe and cost-efficient dental procedure for
patients prone to cavities. Dental sealants avert tooth decay for an average of
five to seven years. Therefore even health care task forces are recognizing the
benefits of dental sealants, recommending school-based programmes.
Parents should consider sealants as a preventive measure in their child's oral health
and discuss this option with their dentist. Majority of all cavities occur in the
narrow pits and grooves of a child's newly erupted teeth because food particles
and bacteria are not easily cleaned out. A risk assessment by a dentist best determines
if a child is a candidate for dental sealants.
Dental sealants act as a barrier to "seal-off" space between the tooth surface and
any small food particles or bacteria that may otherwise cause a cavity in an "unsealed"
tooth.
Paired with twice-daily brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste, a healthy diet and
visiting the dentist twice a year to monitor the sealants' placement or bond on
the tooth, properly applied dental sealants are 100-percent effective in preventing
cavities.
Remember that dental sealants do not protect against gum disease such as gingivitis,
oral cancer or many common dental conditions. Regular dental checkups are vital
to monitor overall oral health.
Benefits of dental sealants
- Paired with good oral health care, sealants are 100-percent effective against cavities
in teeth that are sealed and properly maintained.
- Minimally invasive, safe and effective preventive procedure.
- Costs less than getting a cavity filled.