Dental sealants are preventive dental procedures against cavities recommended for children’s molars soon as they erupt at age 6, 12, and 18. It would be an error to assume dental sealants are a substitute for brushing and flossing because they aren’t. Dental sealants act as an additional barrier on children’s molars preventing food particles and plaque from remaining trapped in the pits and fissures of the molars to cause cavities.
The procedure for getting dental sealants on children’s molars is inexpensive, costing between $ 30-$ 60 per tooth with some insurance and discount plans reducing the cost further. Even better is the reality the application of dental sealants is painless and well tolerated by most children. Apprehensions are raised by some about side effects associated with dental sealants. This blog looks at the purported side effects and attempts to dispel the rumors building around for no reason.
For quite some time, environmental experts have raised concerns about synthetic estrogens like bisphenol A in dental sealants claiming they were harmful to children. Until this moment, the so-called experts haven’t provided any evidence to prove the detrimental effects of bisphenol A after an application of dental sealants to children’s or adult’s teeth.
Parents concerned about the harmful effects of bisphenol A over the risks of tooth decay should understand the dental materials used by dentists to treat tooth decay contain more toxic chemicals than bisphenol-A. Therefore, the claim that BPA levels in dental sealants are harmful and create side effects does not hold good.
Perhaps the most significant side effect recipients experience is some short-term discomfort to their mouth and jaw. They must keep open for about 30 minutes when getting dental sealants applied.
Sealants are applied to children’s teeth in a single visit to our family dentistry in Columbia, MD. The process seems easy and comfortable, but parents must understand children are uncooperative during any medical visit and are unlikely to remain still with their mouths open during the application.
It is incredibly essential for parents to choose an experienced pediatric dental professional for the application, mainly if their child receives the sealants on their first molars. Children’s first molars emerge at age six when they may still be apprehensive about dental procedures.
Dental sealants are merely on the teeth painted on the molars as protection against cavities. During the sealant application procedure, pediatric dentists initially clean and dry the molars preparing them for the sealant application. An absorbent material is placed around the molars to prevent salivary contamination.
After the initial preparation, our dentist near you applies an etching solution to the molars helping the sealant material adhere to the tooth. After that, the molar is cleaned again and dried to leave it ready for the sealant application. It is essential to note salivary contamination usually causes dental sealant failure, which is purported as a side effect of dental sealants for unknown reasons. When our Columbia dentist completes the procedure with good cooperation from the patient, the adhesive can last for up to nine years. However, replacements are needed during regular dental visits for cleanings.
While six-year-olds are uncooperative with dentists, children in 12 and 18 do not confront any challenges during the application procedure. They are unlikely to complain about side effects unless they don’t maintain proper oral hygiene and notice the sealants wearing off faster.
Dental sealants have been around for over four decades and have proven safe and effective. Dental sealants are an effective protectant against cavities that develop when you let plaque and bacteria penetrate the enamel of your teeth to create holes. Treating children’s teeth is more expensive than having an application of dental sealants over the molars.
Parents concerned about the side effects of dental sealants must discuss the dental sealant procedure with an experienced pediatric dentist if their child is around six years. Six-year-olds are challenging for dentists to manage and may suffer from side effects like a sore jaw or dental sealant failure because of salivary contamination. Parents must also ensure the dental sealant application is performed by an experienced pediatric dentist with adequate knowledge of managing children effectively. Inadequate application of the dental sealant is another reason for the failure, which unfortunately is purported as a side effect.
Dental sealants are safe and effective without any side effects following them. Any risks purported by the environmentally concerned groups are better left aside because the benefits of sealant applications outweigh any risks or side effects spoken about them.
(Excludes crowns bone grafting)
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