The dental field comprises a series of preventive treatments and procedures to avoid or minimize the possibility of a silent but harmful enemy, dental caries in teeth. One of these techniques implies using a coating to protect permanent teeth from bacteria penetration.
Indeed, Dental Sealants are a formidable assisting method to avoid caries lesions in children, adolescents, and adults. But, as little as we know about them, discussing with your dentist about this option is quite recommended.
Most of our patients have heard about dental caries but know little about what they are and how they occur. Regrettably, some patients also take for granted the insalubrious effects of dental caries.
The World Health Organization defines dental caries as the most common non-communicable disease worldwide. Non-communicable refers to conditions produced by an acute infection with long-term consequences and treatment care.
Besides, bacteria metabolize food residues into an acidic matter that erodes the tooth’s outer layer, named tooth enamel. As a result, bacteria can penetrate through a tiny hole and expand inside the tooth, which could spread, causing an infection that could end up in tooth decay and tooth loss.
As you might have noticed, a back molar occlusal surface, which is the contact part of a tooth at the bite, has an irregular shape. Bacteria grow in the entrenched nooks and crannies of the occlusal surface. So, it is essential to protect this tooth area with a dental sealant protective shield.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Pit and fissure sealants consist of a fine protective coating applied over the biting tooth surface, adhering entirely to the nooks and crannies of permanent molars and premolars.
The fine plastic coating can last several years, and help reduce the possibility of dental caries in the applied areas impeding the accumulation of bacteria and food particles, offering extra protection.
In most cases, Aurora pediatric dentists recommend sealants for kids as soon as their first molars erupt at age six and extend the protection until they are 14 years old.
Also, adults without dental caries can benefit from sealant application on teeth without previous fillings.
If you are considering getting pit and fissure sealants for your kid or any family member, including you, but still hesitate about the process. In that case, this information might help you come to a decision. Sealing teeth is a painless and relatively simple process. Here we explain it in detail:
- First, your dentist performs a thorough tooth cleanup and drying with an absorbent product or cotton.
- Then Dr. Patterson applies an acidic substance that coarsens the tooth to make the sealant easier to bond to its surface.
- Once again, Dr. Patterson rinses and dries the tooth.
- Finally, he paints the sealant on the tooth’s surface and uses a dental curing light to accelerate the hardening process of the dental procedure.
How Long Do Tooth Sealants Last?
Sealants provide high protection against caries, reaching an effectiveness of up to 80% in the first two years, and continue to protect with an efficiency of 50% for up to four years. In many cases, sealant protection can last ten years.
What Foods To Avoid After Dental Sealants?
Not all stories are 100% happy; there is always a little bit of drama in them, and getting dental sealants is not the exception. Fortunately, your kid waiting shortly to eat some of their favorite foods isn’t a big deal, is it?
Well, luckily for parents, these foods aren’t what we call nutritive in most cases, so having sealants is a good opportunity to decisively reduce sugar consumption in your kid. Last, here we include a list of some foods your kid can’t eat after getting pit and fissure sealants:
- Any sort of candy because the sugars on them can stick to the sealant coating.
- Any kind of sticky food like gummy candy. Also, chewy foods might get sticky, so we recommend avoiding them.
- Hard foods and newly applied sealants don’t go well together. Hard foods might break or chip the sealant.
The good news for your kid that doesn’t need to know, at least not that quickly, is that the restriction on eating these foods is for one day. But, there is definitely no chance to eat any food in the first hour after the sealants.
Also, we recommend parents stick to a soft foods diet the first day and help their kid brush their teeth, paying special attention to the spaces near the gums.
What Foods To Eat After Dental Sealants?
Eliminating sugar intake is a must for a kid, but we must agree it is sometimes an impossible mission. However, there are some shortcuts you might take to at least reduce it by preparing delicious foods like healthy pancakes. Here we include a list of some of the foods you can give your little one after getting sealants.
Fluffy Banana Pancakes
Fluffy and delicious pancakes are possible with little sugar. Use riper brown bananas and mash them up in a bowl. Add yogurt and melted butter and start stirring. Then add a couple of eggs, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Keep stirring while adding flour. Fry in a large frying pan. Serve the pancakes with a little bit of maple syrup.
Scrambled Eggs
Mix a couple of eggs with salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix all ingredients and add any other ingredient as you wish, like potatoes or small pieces of bacon. Heat up a fryer with butter and start cooking. Pour taco cheese over it and serve while still warm.
Spaghetti Bolognese
Delicious Spaghetti Bolognese is an easy-to-do recipe your kid will love. Cook spaghetti in a cooking pot. Mix Italian tomato sauce with a bit of garlic. On a different pan, cook ground beef with tiny cuts of onion and a pinch of chicken broth powder. After getting all cooked, mix the ingredients in a big bowl.
Deciding to Get Dental Sealants for Your Kid is an Epic Thing to Do
Ensure your kid’s dental future with a professional follow-up of its oral health evolution. Preventive oral care is fundamental to keeping and maintaining teeth healthy forever.
Schedule an appointment at Epic Dentistry For Kids. Dr. Patterson.
