Pros and Cons of Dental Sealants

The oral cavity must be kept clean to prevent dental health issues. The molars are the most essential chewing teeth. They grind the food and make the digestion process easier. Any damage to these teeth can result in difficulty to eat. The digestion process can get hampered. The molars are located at the end of the dental arch. Cleaning the molar teeth is a tough job as the teeth are nearly out of reach and flossing is next to impossible.

Problems in keeping the cleanliness of the molar teeth make them more prone to dental diseases like decay and cavities. The diagnosis of dental cavities is easy, and they are mostly caught in their early stages. A cavity, if diagnosed early can be stopped from doing extensive damage. Dentists use sealants to seal the hole so that bacteria don’t reach the inside parts of the tooth.

The Pros of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are the most sought after preventive measure used by dentists in Edmonton and around the world. They are used for sealing up holes in the teeth caused by bacteria. It prevents the teeth from the effects of dental caries. Sealing a mouth of a cavity stops the bacteria from digging further into the teeth. There are various benefits of dental sealants.

• Dental sealants are known to reduce the effects of cavities on a person’s teeth. And they are effective at this. Children are profoundly affected by dental cavities, and dental sealants have been able to reduce the cavities by around 60% in children.

• A painless and simple procedure is the most beneficial factor of sealants. Dental paranoia haunts almost every child. Children will not have to worry about it with dental sealants. Application of dental sealants takes a few minutes, and it is only applied on the teeth with a straw shaped dispenser. There is no filing or drilling procedure required for the application, making it a painless treatment.

• Dental sealants are long lasting and durable. They can stay for years and still have the same efficiency. Although reapplication is necessary as and when needed. Children must always go for dental exams at their nearest dentists in Edmonton.

The Cons of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants have been found to be useful for the prevention of caries. But they are not the perfect treatment against cavities. If a sealant is improperly applied, it can fail. Improper application is the most common reason for the failure of sealants. Improper application methods such as incomplete coverage of the tooth or contamination with saliva can increase the chances of failure.

• Resin based sealant can contain a minute amount of BPA. BPA is substance that mimics Estrogen (a female hormone); although, there is slight contact immediately after application but studies show there is no side-effect of such contact. Still one must regularly visit their nearest dentist to get their sealants examined.

• Dental sealants though highly durable are sometimes ineffective on children and adults. It might be a result of good dental hygiene habits because thorough brushing can minimize the durability of sealants.

• Dental sealants prove to be ineffective in cases of dental decay and cavities that are deeper. Such circumstances might require a more critical approach like root canal treatments.

If you are worried about the effects of candies and wafers on your child’s teeth, contact your nearest dentist in Edmonton. He may suggest you on the use of dental sealants after examining your child’s dental health.