Dental sealants prevent tooth decay

Just in case you missed this month's Raising Arizona Kids Magazine article. Our very own Dr. Dougherty gives his expert advice on sealants.

By Vicki Louk Balint

Think of it as a protective nail polish for the teeth.

Dental sealants were developed in the 1950s by researchers at the University of Rochester’s Eastman Dental School. Their efforts were part of the attempt to prevent tooth decay from causing cavities.
Unlike today, dentistry at that time wasn’t always viewed by the public as a preventative care vocation. Many people payed a visit to the dentist as a last resort when they could no longer stand the pain of an infected decaying tooth.

During the mid part of the 20th century, dental researchers recognized the value of encouraging the public to brush and floss, and began to steer dental science toward prevention.

Timothy R. Wilson, DDS, of Affiliated Pediatric Dentists and Orthodontists, says that a Delta Dental study on sealants found that the procedure can reduce the chances of tooth decay by up to a whopping 85 percent. 

Sealants can be applied to the surface of the 6- and 12-year-old molars in the back of the mouth. They are the teeth most at risk for cavities because of the deep grooves on the surface, where bacteria can hide and cause decay.

Still, many parents don’t know about the use of sealants as an option to prevent tooth decay. According to the National Institute of Dental and Cranialfacial Research, fewer than one-third of children in the United States have sealants on their teeth.

The sealant is a liquid plastic that coats the pits and fissures in the tooth and then hardens to form a barrier. When applied, sealants can actually stop decay in its beginning stages, preventing future cavities.

Applying the sealant is fairly simple. First, the surface of the tooth is dried with cotton. The sealant is applied and then cured with a UV light. The patient can eat or drink shortly thereafter. No numbing is required.

Sealants are made from plastic. Do they contain BPA? John Dougherty, DDS, of Artistic Dental of the Biltmore, says that might have been true in the past, but today the name brands that most dentists use are BPA free. “Be sure to ask your dentist if you are concerned,” he says.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Find more resources, including a handy pediatric dentist finder by zip code, at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website.