Question about dental sealants
I wonder if I could get some input from other parents about dental sealants. My son is seven. His teeth are in excellent condition - no cavities so far. We do not have fluoridated water, but we do use toothpaste and mouthrinses which contain fluoride.
At his routine dental checkup yesterday, the dentist and hygienist recommended dental sealants for his 6-year molars.
I've done a bit of research online this morning. While I have found nothing that screams "don't do this," I am still somewhat reticent to have this procedure done. As I understand it, the sealants generally last about 10 years. Does this mean a life-long process of re-applying the sealant?
Some more pertinent background - I'm 35, grew up with neither fluoridated water nor sealants, and I've never had a cavity.
We have good dental insurance, so the cost isn't an issue.
Any opinions/input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Rose
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dental sealants
A caution regarding dental insurance paying for sealants. You'd think it would be covered under preventative care, but it isn't always,so be sure and check first.
My personal opinion is that sealants help. I've never heard of anyone renewing the sealant. If I'm not mistaken, they only paint the top of the teeth and the jaggedy edges seem to encourage bits of food to stick there if a child doesn't brush well. Those teeth are ones that are a little more prone to decay. So unless your kids brush exceptionally well and you are "on top" of their brushing and they do not eat much candy or chewey sticky stuff I would lean toward getting sealants.
Both my kids have sealants, but the subject wasn't brought up until one of them had a cavity already. They couldn't put a sealant on the one that had to be filled, but did the others. I think it has helped.
I have sealants
I have them on my six-year and twelve-year molars-- got them when I was thirteen. I don't have them on my wisdom teeth (which grew in straight and I chew with them-- I have a big mouth!) and I got cavities in my wisdom teeth soon after they grew in, but didn't get any in those other molars until I took prednisone for two years.
I Have Them, Too
on my fartherest molars. They are 16 years old. I got them on very small, beginning cavities.
Wish I had a big mouth (well, I HAVE a big mouth -- I wish I had a big jaw!). I've had 6 permanent teeth pulled & still no room in my mouth. Now, at age 37 I have a wisdom tooth who is trying to show his snooty little self. So, it will be off to the oral surgeon before too long. Ugh!
Vonnie
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