The sealant is then painted on the tooth in liquid form and hardens in about a minute, sometimes with the help of a special curing light. The tooth is then rinsed and dried again. Then a solution that will slightly roughen or “etch” the surface is applied, to make the sealing material adhere better. The tooth will then be cleaned and dried. First, the tooth or teeth to be sealed are examined, and if any minimal decay is found, it will be gently removed. Because tooth enamel does not contain any nerves, placing a sealant is painless and does not routinely require numbing shots. You can think of a sealant as a mini plastic filling, though please reassure your child that it doesn't “count” as having a cavity filled. A sealed tooth is far less likely to develop a cavity, require more expensive dental treatment later on, or, most importantly, cause your child pain. Fortunately, there is a good solution to this problem: dental sealants.ĭental sealants are invisible plastic resin coatings that smooth out the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, making them resistant to decay. Fluoride, which is found in toothpaste and some drinking water - and in treatments provided at the dental office - can strengthen enamel, but, again, it's hard to get fluoride into those pits and fissures on a regular basis. The hard enamel coating that protects the teeth changes as it ages to become stronger. What's more, a child's newly erupted permanent teeth are not as resistant to decay as adult teeth are. This creates the perfect conditions for tooth decay. The bristles on a toothbrush can't always reach all the way into these dark, moist little crevices. Instead, they are filled with tiny grooves referred to as “pits and fissures,” which trap bacteria and food particles. Run your tongue over this area in your mouth, and you will feel the reason why: These surfaces are not smooth, as other areas of your teeth are. The most likely location for a cavity to develop in your child's mouth is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
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