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Disadvantages of Children's Tooth Sealant

Even though children will lose their baby teeth when replaced by permanent teeth, it is still important to take proper care of their teeth with regular brushing, flossing and trips to the dentist for X-rays and teeth cleanings. Sealants have many advantages for children's teeth, namely protection of the abundant natural grooves and dips that are particularly present in baby teeth surfaces. Baby teeth easily collect food and bacteria leading to tooth decay, loss and gum disease. Sealants aren't perfect, however, and do have some drawbacks.

  1. Non-Permanent

    • Sealants protect the chewing surface of teeth from decay. A sealant is a clear, tough plastic enamel painted onto a tooth that dries and establishes a water-tight seal with the tooth. Unfortunately, sealants don't last forever. After about five years, they need to be replaced.

    Breakable

    • While sealants are tough, eating hard foods such as ice, jawbreakers, hard candies or nuts can cause them to crack. Once a sealant breaks, food can become trapped beneath it, between the sealant and the tooth, and can cause tooth decay.

    Don't Stop Gum Disease

    • It's cheaper to put sealants on your children's first, permanent back teeth, than it is to correct tooth decay after it has occurred. That makes sealants a wise investment. But, sealants do not prevent gum disease caused by lack of flossing, which removes bacteria from in between the teeth.

      So, while sealants alone won't keep your children's teeth perfect into adulthood, when they are combined with regular dental visits, beginning at age 3, they will help your children speak well, smile well and have healthy, happy mouths.

    Must be Repeated

    • Sealants wear over time. As sealants break down and new teeth come in, sealants must be replaced. This requires a repeated investment of funds into children's teeth. The cost of a sealant is $45 per tooth, as of December 2010. Find out whether or not your dental insurance covers sealants and determine whether you have the budget to afford sealants. A drawback of sealants is that they cannot be used alone. In addition to being replaced multiple times, fluoride treatments are also recommend in conjunction with sealants to properly protect children's teeth from decay.

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