Dental Sealants and Fluoride Varnish
Dental sealants are thin coatings that when applied on the biting surfaces of the back teeth (molars) can prevent cavities (decay) for a substantial period of time, Fluoride varnish works in a similar way. Sealants sprotect the biting surfaces from cavities by covering them with a protective surface that stops bacteria and food from attaching to the tooth surface. Once applied, sealants protect against 80% of cavities for quite a long time and keep on protecting against half of decay for up to 4 years. Children between 6 to 11 years old without sealants are three times as likely to have first molar cavities than children with sealants.
Under the guidance of your clinician, sealants of varnish can be applied by your dentist, dental hygienist, or other qualified dental expert. This is possible in your local dental surgery or sometimes in school during dental visits with the correct equiptment.
Sealant use has become a more prevalent technique used for children to prevent cavities in recent times with its use increasing in recent year to almost double on avaerage amoung children aged 6-11. Be that as it may, this powerful preventative treatment actually remains underused. With less than 50% of children aged 6 to 11 years having dental sealants applied. Children from low income families are 15% less likely to get sealants and two times as likely to have untreated cavities. Untreated cavities can cause agony, contamination, and issues eating, talking, and causing distraction at school which could affect learning.
Oral health advice given by your dentist at Balham Dental Studio and in schools is a successful method informing parents and children about sealants who may be less likely to consider such treatment. Information would help prevent cavities from forming in the first instance. Every tooth fixed saves more in dental treatment costs. Applying sealants to children from low-pay familiies who don’t have them could forestall multiple million cavities and save in dental treatment costs.
Dental Sealants FAQ
What is a sealant?
Dental sealants are thin coatings that when applied on the biting surfaces of the back teeth (molars) can prevent cavities (decay) for a substantial period of time. Sealants sprotect the biting surfaces from cavities by covering them with a protective surface that stops bacteria and food from attaching to the tooth surface. Once applied, sealants protect against 80% of cavities for quite a long time and keep on protecting against half of decay for up to 4 years.
What is a Cavity?
Cavities are permanent holes in a tooth. Cavaties will get bigger if left untreated; They may well cause pain and lead to infection get. Cavities are more prevalent in the grooves of the back teeth.
Is a sealant better than a filling?
A tooth without a cavity is stronger and healthier than a tooth with a filling or untreated decay. Sealants would prevent a cavity from forming at the first instance. Sealants are also less expensive, quick, painless and easier to apply than fillings.
Should I ask the dentist to place sealants on my childs teeth?
Indeed. Dental cavities are perhaps the most widely recognized ongoing circumstances among children and teenagers. Left untreated, cavities can cause pain, infection and issues in eating, talking, and distraction at school can can affect learning. Sealants are an incredibly compelling yet underutilized protection that prevents cavities forming in childrens teeth.
When can my child get sealants?
Sealants prevent the most cavities when applied not long after long-lasting molars come into the mouth (around age 6 for first molars and age 12 for second molars).
Do sealants hurt?
Getting a sealant is simple and doesn’t do any harm. The tooth is cleaned and a gel will be put on the biting surface for a couple of moments. The tooth is then washed and dried. Then, the sealant is painted on the tooth. The dental specialist or dental hygienist will focus a light on the tooth to assist with solidifying the sealant to shape a defensive safeguard.
Will I be able to feel the sealants?
Sealants are extremely slim and fill the depressions of the teeth. Now and again children can feel the sealant with their tongues for a brief time after the sealant is put.
What do sealants look like?
Sealants can be clear, white, or marginally colored. For the most part, you can’t see a sealant when your child talks or grins.
How long do dental sealants last?
Sealants have been shown to work up to 9 years after application. Be that as it may, now and again they may become loose, so they ought to be checked at your routine dental check up. Assuming a tooth loses a sealant, the defensive safeguard is gone and the tooth can again be prone to cavities. Missing sealants are not difficult to re-apply.
If tap water already has fluoride should I still consider dental sealants?
Indeed. Sealants and fluoride both prevent tooth decay, however in different ways. Sealants keep bacteria and food out of the notches in the back teeth by covering them with a safe defensive protective layer. Fluoride in drinking water and dental items, like toothpaste, protects against holes by making teeth stronger.
Where can my child have a dental sealant or fluoride varnish applied?
We are able to apply dental sealants or fluoride varnish here at Balham Dental Studio, just ask your dentist at your next routine check up examination appointment. you can call us on 0208 675 7210 to book.
Is there anything else I should do if my children already have sealants?
Sealants are one piece of your child’s complete preventive dental health. Ask us today of many other ways to aid in your childs overall dental oral health.
