Question 4

 

Dentists use sealants to protect teeth and prevent tooth decay. A recent American study has shown that sealants reduce tooth decay between 50% to 100% in children. A sealant is a clear plastic fluid that is painted on to the chewing surface of the molars, the teeth found in the back of the mouth. Sealants act as a barrier between the deep grooves of the enamel on the teeth and the bacteria in the mouth that cause tooth decay. Children's molars are where 80% of all tooth decay occurs, because the grooves on the molars can be difficult to clean with toothbrushes. Placing sealants on teeth is a very short procedure. The dentist first roughens the molar with a solution and then the plastic solution is painted on the tooth. As the plastic dries it hardens and bonds to the tooth. Sealants can normally last up to 5 years and hold up very well under normal chewing. While sealants are an excellent way to prevent tooth decay, brushing and flossing and visiting your dentist are still essential, as sealants do not protect the other teeth or between the teeth.