Tooth Sealant Safety

Tooth sealants, also called dental sealants, refer to a preventive measure used to prevent cavities. Dental sealants involve placing a plastic coating on the chewing surface of teeth to protect them from cavity causing acids and bacteria.

History

• Dentist Kim Loos notes in an article entitled "Sealants for Kids: Are They Safe?," published on the parenting section of I-Village's website, that tooth sealants received approval by the American Dental Association in 1976 to be used for dental care.

Safety

• According to Braces Review, an informational dental resource, a study done in China raised concerns regarding the safety of dental sealants. The safety question developed after bisphenol A (BPA) was found in the saliva of some people with tooth sealants.

Bisphenol A

• BPA, a chemical found in polycarbonate plastics, can mimic estrogen. Excess estrogen can cause diseases, for example, breast cancer.

Re-Evaluation

• According to Delta Dental, the Department of Health and Human Service's National Toxicology Program studied the BPA concern and found the development of bisphenol A caused by tooth sealants to be rare. Even in cases where BPA resulted, the amount found proved not harmful.

Considerations

• According to Delta Dental, dental sealants prove 70 percent effective in preventing cavities. The tooth sealant works by providing a barrier between the chewing surface of a tooth and bacteria and acids in the mouth.