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Posts for tag: dental sealants

Dental Sealants can help Prevent Tooth Decay in Children

By Hibbeln & Kowal Dental
February 16, 2019
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: dental sealants  
DentalSealantscanhelpPreventToothDecayinChildren

While children are less likely than adults to experience periodontal (gum) disease, the same can't be said for tooth decay. One aggressive form of decay called early childhood caries (ECC) can have a profound effect on a child's dental development and future health.

That's why dentists who treat young children often use a variety of preventive measures to reduce the risk of ECC and other dental diseases. One popular method is dental sealants, dental material coatings applied to the biting surfaces of teeth that fill in the naturally occurring pits and crevices. These areas are highly susceptible to plaque formation, a bacterial biofilm of food particles that tends to accumulate on teeth. It's the bacteria that live in plaque that are most responsible for the formation of tooth decay.

Roughly one third of children between the ages of 6 and 11 have received some form of dental sealant. It's a quick and painless procedure applied during a routine office visit. The dentist brushes the sealant in liquid form on the teeth, and then hardens it with a special curing light. It's common for children to begin obtaining sealant protection as their molars begin to come in.

With their increased popularity among dentists, researchers have conducted a number of studies to see whether dental sealants have a measurable effect reducing tooth decay. After reviewing the cases of thousands of children over several years, many of these studies seemed to show that children who didn't receive sealants were more than twice as likely to get cavities as children who did.

As evidence continues to mount for dental sealants' effectiveness protecting young children from decay, both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry now recommend it for all children. Not only can sealants help preserve children's teeth now, but they can reduce future costs for dental treatment that results from tooth decay.

If you would like more information on children's dental sealants and other decay prevention measures, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

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Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay

By Hibbeln & Kowal Dental
February 26, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: dental sealants  
SealantsProvideaLittleExtraProtectionforChildrenatHighRiskforDecay

Taking care of your child’s teeth is a high priority, not only for their health now but for the future too. And that means dealing with their teeth’s most common and formidable enemy, tooth decay.

Your focus, of course, should be on preventing decay through good oral hygiene practices, a healthy diet low in foods with added sugar and regular office visits for cleaning and checkups. But some children at higher risk or who’ve already encountered tooth decay may also need a little extra help in the form of dental sealants.

The most common use of sealants addresses a weakness in young teeth that disease-causing bacteria exploit. Deep grooves known as pits and fissures form within the biting surfaces of developing back teeth and in the rear of front teeth.  It’s very difficult to reach these areas with daily brushing, so some plaque may be left behind (hence the importance of semi-annual office cleanings).

Inside the mouth, these pits and fissures are in a warm and moist environment and are a haven for bacteria that feed on plaque and produce high levels of acid as a by-product. The acid softens enamel to eventually create a hole, or a “cavity” in the tooth. Children’s young enamel is highly susceptible to this process — it hasn’t developed enough strength to resist the adverse effects of acid.

A “pit and fissure” sealant made of resin fills in the grooves in the teeth to inhibit the buildup of plaque — a kind of “mini” filling. It’s an added layer of protection that complements other prevention efforts. But applying them isn’t an automatic practice — we only recommend it for children at high risk, especially where decay is beginning or it appears the conditions are conducive for it. When needed, though, it can be quite effective in preventing decay or minimizing its effects.

The best way to know if your child could benefit from a sealant is to have them undergo a complete dental exam. From there we can advise you on whether a sealant application is an important investment in their current and future health.

If you would like more information on dental disease prevention for children, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Sealants for Children.”

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Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • Dental Sealants can help Prevent Tooth Decay in Children
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
      • January (3)
        • 3 Ways Orthodontic Techniques Could Prevent a Poor Bite
        • Want to Keep Enjoying Winter Sports? Wear a Mouthguard!
        • Crown Lengthening Might be Necessary for Seniors with Tooth Decay
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • New Year, New Smile
        • What You Need to Know to Buy the Right Toothbrush
      • November (3)
        • The Connection Between GERD and Oral Health
        • Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
        • Why a Bonded Retainer Might be a Better Choice After Braces
      • October (3)
        • Try the Conservative Path to Jaw Pain Relief First
        • Guide Your Older Children or Teens through These 3 Oral Health Areas
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
      • September (3)
        • It's National Gum Care Month - Take Care of Your Gums
        • Oral Hygiene isn't Easy with Braces - but it's Still Doable
        • Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
      • August (3)
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
        • When Summertime Sports Lead to Dental Dilemmas
        • 10 Tips to Tame Bad Breath
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        • Ready for Summer Camp? Be Sure to Pack a Toothbrush
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
        • Lasers Beginning to Change Some Root Canal Procedures
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        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
        • Anchorage Devices Enable Greater Precision During Orthodontic Treatment
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        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
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        • Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
        • Not Enough Bone Support for an Implant? Here's a Way to Rebuild It
        • Don't Ignore Tooth Pain - You May Need a Root Canal
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        • Reduce Future Bite Problems with These Innovative Techniques
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        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
        • FAQs About Pediatric Dentistry
      • August (4)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Signs You May Need Braces
        • Your Child's Impacted Front Teeth can be Saved - but Don't Wait too Long
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
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        • This Young Woman's Cancer Experience a Teachable Moment for all of us
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
      • June (3)
        • Overcoming Gum Recession will Restore Dental Health and your Smile
        • The Importance Of Preventive Care
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
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        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
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        • Dealing with the Reality of Increased Disease Risk with Braces
        • Protect Your Child's Smile
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
      • March (3)
        • Topical Fluoride Could Further Lower Tooth Decay Risk in Children
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Conscious Sedation can Help Ease Your Child's Dental Visit Anxiety
      • February (2)
        • The Benefits Of Seeing A Family Dentist
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
      • January (4)
        • Disease Detection - Saliva's New Role
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • How Dental Crowns Help Strengthen Teeth
        • A Retainer Helps You Keep Your New Smile After Braces
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • 3 Questions You Should Ask Before Undergoing Adult Orthodontics
      • November (2)
        • A Royal Fix
        • Start Early with Your Baby's Dental Care
      • October (4)
        • Caring for Your Smile When You Have Braces
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • New Understanding of Bacteria Promises Better Approaches to Oral Care
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
      • September (2)
        • Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • August (3)
        • Metal Dental Amalgam: Still a Safe and Effective Tooth Filling
        • What is a Cavity?
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • July (2)
        • Keep Watch for Bite Problems with your Child's Teeth
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
      • June (3)
        • Effective Hygiene is Key to Preventing Enamel White Spots While Wearing Braces
        • How Fillings Help Restore Decayed Teeth
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
      • May (2)
        • Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
      • April (4)
        • 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
        • Give Your Child's Smile the Best Start
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
      • March (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Watch for these 4 Signs of Gum Disease
      • February (3)
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        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • Kids, Cats and Canines: Dental Development Through the Ages
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        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • The Dangers of DIY Braces
  • 2015
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        • Lamar Odom Rebounds From Dental Anxiety
        • With Proper Management, Dental Implants can be a Reality for Diabetics
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        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Jaw Pain Disorders Could be Related to Other Body Conditions
      • October (2)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
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