Dental sealants are one preventative measure you can take to better ensure that your teeth, or those of your children, are well-protected against potential decay and the development of cavities. They work, as the name implies, by sealing the surface of the tooth and are typically used on teeth that have pits and grooves where food and bacteria can become stuck, such as on the back molars.
Dental Sealants Preventative Dentistry
Many people often wonder when the best time to get tooth sealants is, or if they are even necessary. Although less than half of all people have had their teeth sealed, today’s dentists recommend that teeth be sealed as soon as possible in order to better protect against decay. Since the sealant material is generally only placed on molars, because these are the teeth whose surfaces are covered with pits and grooves that make them susceptible decay, this would be at the time that the molars are fully erupted in the mouth.
The first set of molars typically comes in between the ages of 5 and 7, and they are therefore called the “6 year molars” for that reason. A second set of permanent molars erupt generally between the ages of 11 and 14 (these are called the “12 year molars”). The best time to have each of these teeth sealed is as soon as they are fully through the gums, before there is any opportunity for food or bacteria to begin the decaying process. Some dentists will wait until the complete set of molars at each stage is in and then seal all of the molars at that time (so, for example, seal all of the 6 year molars at one time and then seal all of the 12 year molars when they are all in.)
For individuals that never had their teeth sealed when they were children, the good news is that it’s never too late. Any time that you can have dental sealants applied to your teeth, you increase the chance that your teeth will stay healthy and will be unaffected by decay. In fact, even if a small bit of decay is covered by the sealant, the decay beneath will not spread since it will be cut off from any additional supply of food or bacteria.
So although the ideal time to have teeth sealed is right when they erupt, before any negative effects can occur from exposure to sugars from food or germs in the mouth, it’s better to have teeth sealed at a later time rather than not at all. Additionally, although the most common teeth to have sealed are permanent molars, there are instances in which your dentist may recommend that other teeth get sealed, either due to the fact that they also have small pits and grooves on the surface or are prone to potential decay.
Having tooth sealants applied is a simple, quick and painless procedure that can provide teeth with up to ten years or more of protection against decay that can otherwise result in more extensive dental work.
For more information about dental sealants, contact Park Dental Care in Queens at 718-274-1515.
