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Prevention
Dental Examination | Oral Cancer | Tooth Grinding
Dental Sealants | Fluoride | Bad Breath | Home Care
Dental Sealants
What are Dental Sealants?
 Dental Sealants are thin plastic coatings which are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay. Most tooth decay in children and adolescents occurs on the chewing surfaces of these back teeth or molars. This is because molars have irregular surfaces with pits and grooves which tend to trap food and bacterial debris. Sealants flow into and coat these pits and grooves so that bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.
The teeth most likely to benefit from sealant application are the first and second molars just after they have erupted and before they have had a chance to decay. First molars generally appear at about six years of age and second molars at about twelve years of age.
Once a tooth has matured, it is less prone to decay. Children between the ages of five and fourteen benefit most from sealants. After an examination, we can determine which teeth can be sealed.
By sealing them now, we can prevent the more costly procedure of filling the tooth later. And most importantly, sealants are fun-there are no shots or drilling involved! They’re as easy as painting your fingernails. We love children!
Advantages: Sealants are an excellent way to protect chewing surfaces of teeth from decay. They are a much better financial investment than treating decay after it has started.
Disadvantages: None
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