The Value of Sealants in Preventing Tooth Decay in Children

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) and an ideal opportunity for parents, dental professionals, public health experts, educators and public officials to reflect on the importance of good oral health in children. In 2022, the American Dental Association will be focusing its NCDHM efforts on sealants, with its “Sealants Make Sense” campaign.?While the focus is understandably on tooth decay, good oral health also includes preventing infections of the gums and soft tissue, problems of occlusion (tooth position) and the relationship of poor oral health to medical issues in children, such as diabetes and asthma.

Poor oral health can result in a variety of potential problems in children such as pain, infection, poor nutrition, speech problems, lost time at school and issues with self-esteem. Poor oral health in children can also impact growth and development, resulting in ongoing issues well into adulthood. While these are year-round concerns, NCDHM is a great time to put a spotlight on the importance of good oral health in children.

Despite the great advances made in managing dental caries (cavities) or tooth decay, this remains one of the most common chronic diseases of children. Preventing tooth decay in children starts with good home habits, regular brushing, consistent flossing and good nutrition, as well as regular professional visits for cleanings, checkups and in-office fluoride as recommended. Modeling good oral health habits on the part of parents is also very effective in setting the right example.

Perhaps the most underused strategy for preventing tooth decay are dental sealants. Sealants are plastic coatings put on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, typically first and second molars, to “seal” the grooves of those teeth and prevent the collection of decay-causing dental plaque and bacteria. It is recommended that sealants be placed as soon as possible after these teeth erupt, typically around age 6 for first molars, and age 12 for second molars. While sealants are most commonly placed by dentists and hygienists in their offices, sealants are also being done in a number of less traditional settings, for example in schools, clinics or mobile units, as a way of helping to prevent decay in as many children as possible. Placing sealants takes just a couple of minutes and is completely painless.

Sealants are not a substitute for good hygiene, good nutrition and exposure to the right amounts of fluoride, but they do provide significant additional protection. Sealants help by blocking the pits and grooves of teeth from collecting food and decay-causing bacteria that tooth brushing alone may not remove. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that sealants can prevent 80% of cavities on back teeth, while school-aged children without sealants are three times more likely to have tooth decay on their first molars than those who get sealants (https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/dental-sealants/index.html).

A well placed sealant can last up to 10 years, though they can chip or wear and may need to be repaired or replaced. Sealants on first and second permanent molars are covered by most insurances, including Delta Dental.

As part of National Children’s Dental Health Month (and year-round!), talk with your dentist and hygienist about dental sealants. They are an excellent strategy for preventing tooth decay in children and help to ensure great oral and overall health.

?Michael D Weitzner, DMD, MS

Dental Director, Delta Dental of Virginia