Sealants in Ridgeland
The pits and grooves of your teeth are prime areas for opportunistic decay. Sealants act as a
barrier to prevent bacteria and food from collecting and sitting on the grooves and pits of
teeth. Sealants are best suited for permanent first molars, which erupt around the age of 6, and
second molars, which erupt around the age of 12. The application is fast and comfortable and can
effectively protect teeth for many years.
Sealants are most effective when applied as soon as the tooth has fully come in. Because of
this, children derive the greatest benefit from sealants because of the newness of their teeth.
Research has shown that more than 65% of all cavities occur in the narrow pits and grooves of a
child’s newly erupted teeth because of trapped food particles and bacteria. Enter fluoridated
sealants, which are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces designed to prevent the
intrusion of bacteria and other debris into the deep crevices on the tops of your teeth.
A 2016 guideline panel convened by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) stated:
- sealants are effective in preventing and arresting pit-and-fissure occlusal caries lesions of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents compared to the non-use of sealants or use of fluoride varnishes; and
- sealants can minimize the progression of non-cavitated occlusal caries lesions (also referred to as initial lesions) of the tooth that received the sealant.
