The Importance of Sealants in Protecting Children’s Teeth

children-teethThere are numerous benefits associated with getting sealant treatment, and parents are encouraged to allow children to have the treatment..

Key takeaways:

  • Dental sealants are recommended for children when their first molars grow at between 5 and 7 years and yet again when the next set of molars grows at 11 through to 14 years.
  • A study indicates that children without dental sealant treatment had cavities in 77 percent of their teeth compared to 27 percent of teeth in those with sealants.
  • Resin-based sealants and glass ionomer sealants are the most common with the difference being the resin based lasts longer.

The review estimated that in a population of cavity-free children with a 40 percent chance of getting a first cavity over the next two years without sealants, application of sealants would reduce the rate to just 6 percent.

Read the full story here

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/20/upshot/defending-your-childrens-teeth-and-dentists-the-value-of-sealants.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur&_r=1