Seal Out Dental Decay

What are Dental Sealants? Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

Sealants are put on in dentists' offices, clinics, and sometimes in schools. Getting sealants put on is simple and painless. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth.

Sealants are clear or tinted. Tinted sealants are easier to see.

Are Sealants new? No, sealants are not new. They have been around for a long time! Research by NIDCR and others led to the development of sealants in the early 1960s.

But many people still do not know what sealants are. In fact, fewer than 20 percent of children in the United States have sealants!

How long do Sealants Last? Sealants can last up to 10 years. But they need to be checked at regular dental check-ups to make sure they are not chipped or worn away. The dentist can repair sealants by adding more sealant material.

How Much do Sealants Cost? Sealing one tooth usually costs less than filling one tooth.

Having sealants put on healthy teeth now will save you money in the long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth.

But the most important reason for getting sealants is to avoid tooth decay. Healthy teeth can last a lifetime!

Does Insurance Pay for Sealants? Many insurance companies pay for sealants. Check with your company for details.

Why Get Sealants?By covering the chewing surfaces of the molars, sealants keep out the germs and food that cause decay.

What Causes Decay? Germs in the mouth change the sugar in food to acid. The acid can eat a cavity in the tooth. The decay has to be cleaned out by drilling and then the tooth has to be filled.

Of course a healthy tooth is the best tooth. So it is important to prevent decay. That's why sealants are so important.

Of course a healthy tooth is the best tooth. So it is important to prevent decay. That's why sealants are so important.

Why do back teeth decay so easily? The chewing surfaces of back teeth are rough and uneven because they have small pits and grooves. Food and germs can get stuck in the pits and stay there a long time because toothbrush bristles cannot brush them away.

Who Should Get Sealants? Children should get sealants on their permanent molars as soon as the teeth come in — before decay attacks the teeth.

The first permanent molars — called "6-year molars" — come in between the ages of 5 and 7.

The second permanent molars — "12-year molars" — come in when a child is between 11 and 14 years old.

The other teeth with pits and grooves — called "premolars" or "bicuspids" — right in front of the molars, also may need to be sealed.

Teenagers and young adults without decay or fillings in their molars also may get sealants.

Should Sealants also be Put on Baby Teeth? Your dentist might think it is a good idea, especially if your child's baby teeth have deep pits and grooves.

Baby teeth play an important role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth — so it is important to keep baby teeth healthy so they don't fall out early.

How are Sealants Put On? The tooth is cleaned.

The tooth is dried, and cotton or other material is put around the tooth so it stays dry.

A solution is put on the tooth surface that makes the tooth a little rough. (It is easier for the sealant to stick to a slightly rough tooth.)

The tooth is rinsed and dried. Then new cotton is put around the tooth so it stays dry.

The sealant is applied in liquid form and hardens in a few seconds.

What if a Small Cavity is Accidentally Covered by a Sealant? The decay will not spread because it is sealed off from its food and germ supply.

Besides Sealants, are There Other Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay? Yes. The best way you can help prevent tooth decay is to brush with a fluoride toothpaste and drink fluoridated water (water is fluoridated in about half the cities and towns of the United States). If your water is not fluoridated or if your teeth need more fluoride to stay healthy, your dentist can prescribe it in the form of a gel, mouthrinse or tablet.

If you have a baby or a young child that needs fluoride and do not have fluoride in your water, your physician (pediatrician) or dentist can prescribe fluoride drops or tablets.

Fluoride is the best defense against tooth decay!

Remember:

Sealants + Fluoride = Maximum Protection Against Cavities

Sealants protect the chewing surfaces

Fluoride protects the smooth surfaces

Fluoride . . .

Makes teeth more resistant to decay

Repairs tiny areas of decay before they become big cavities

Makes germs in the mouth less able to cause decay

Fluoride helps the smooth surfaces of the teeth the most. It is less effective on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars).

How Can I Get More Information About Sealants?For more information about sealants call your dentist, state or local dental society, or health department. Sometimes sealants are put on at school — check with your school or local health department to see if there is such a program in your area.

For additional copies of this pamphelet contact:

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse 1 NOHIC Way Bethesda, MD 20892-3500 301-402-7364nohic@nidcr.nih.govwww.nidcr.nih.gov

This publication is not copyrighted. Make as many photocopies as you need.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health NIH Publication No. 00-489

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SEALANTS

Overview Sealants, also referred to as dental sealants, consist of a plastic material that is placed on the chewing (occlusal) surface of the permanent back teeth — the molars and premolars — to help protect them from bacteria and acids that contribute to tooth decay.

Why SEALANTS? Thorough brushing and flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of teeth, but toothbrushes can't reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract all food and plaque. While fluoride helps prevent decay and helps protect all the surfaces of the teeth, dental sealants add extra protection for the grooved and pitted areas.

What to Expect During a SEALANT Procedure

Placing dental sealants is usually painless and doesn't require drilling or numbing medications.

Tooth preparation – first, the dental hygienist will polish the surface of the tooth to remove plaque and food debris from the pit and fissure surfaces. Next the hygienist will isolate and dry the tooth. Then the hygienist will etch the surface of the tooth, rinse off the etching material and dry the tooth.

Sealant application – the hygienist will apply the dental sealant material to the surface of the tooth with a brush; a self-curing light will be used for about 30 seconds to bond the sealant to the tooth surface.

Evaluation – finally, the dental hygienist and dentist will evaluate the dental sealant and check its occlusion. Once the dental sealant has hardened it becomes a hard plastic coating, and you can chew on the tooth again.

Teeth are sealed, what’s next?

Brushing is still important even after sealants. Try one of these products to help keep your teeth clean and healthy.