17 February 2014
Fluoride Treatments and Fissure Sealants
Tooth decay comes about when bacteria in the mouth make acids that eat away at the tooth. Plaque, a clear, sticky substance that contains bacteria is always forming on teeth and gums. As the bacteria feed on the sugars in the food we eat, they produce acids which can corrode the enamel in the tooth, resulting in tooth decay. If not treated, tooth decay can lead to cavities, infection, toothache, even tooth loss. Tooth decay can be prevented by brushing and flossing regularly, seeing the dentist at least twice a year for teeth cleaning and checkups, and avoiding sweets and other foods high in sugar. Especially for children and adolescents, the application of topical fluoride and fissure sealants can also very much help stop tooth decay by making teeth stronger and more resistant to the corrosive acids in the mouth.
Fluoride strengthens one’s teeth by speeding up the remineralisation of the enamel and stopping bacteria from making acids. Fluoride can be taken internally as when you drink fluoridated water and eat meat, fish, eggs and other food which contain fluoride or take prescription fluoride supplements. The ingested fluoride goes to the bloodstream, later becoming part of the permanent teeth when they develop. Fluoride can also be absorbed from the outside as when you brush your teeth using fluoridated toothpaste and when you get professional fluoride in-office treatments from your dentist.
The fluoride treatments at the dental office will give teeth more fluoride than the over-the-counter fluoride toothpaste, mouthwash and other fluoridated topical products. At the dental clinic, fluoride gel or foam is applied by using a tray that looks like a mouth guard for one to four minutes while fluoride varnish is painted directly on parts of the teeth that are most likely to get a cavity. The patient’s risk factors and the reason for getting the treatment will determine which method of fluoride delivery will be used by the dentist. Before the treatment, the dental professional will make sure that the patient’s teeth are thoroughly cleaned and dried so as not to dilute the fluoride. Following treatment, the patient will be asked not to eat, drink or smoke for at least 30 minutes to allow the teeth to better absorb the fluoride.
Pit and fissure sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from tooth decay. The sealants form a smooth hard shield that stops food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing cavities. They are applied only on the molars and premolars since they have pits and fissures on their biting surfaces. Not all of them need to be sealed. Only those with deep grooves would benefit from the procedure. In any event, the dentist will tell which teeth should be sealed after an examination. Generally, as soon as the adult teeth start to come through, usually between 6 and 7 years of age, the dentist will know whether or not application of sealants would be in order. It is often best if the sealant is applied before the teeth have a chance to decay.
Sealing pits and fissures is quick and painless. The dentist will first clean the tooth then apply a mild acid solution to the surface to make it easier for the sealant to stick. The area will be kept dry and away from saliva during the application because if the tooth gets wet, the sealant may not stick properly. After the preparation, the dentist will apply the sealant over the pits and fissures on the tooth surface and hardened using a special kind of light that cures the plastic material. Once hardened, the sealant can last for as long as 10 years, although they may need to be checked at each regular dental appointment.
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