Is it okay for children to have pit and fissure sealing?

Many people don't know much about pit and fissure sealing. Pit and fissure sealing refers to the uneven occlusal surface of the molars in the human mouth. This concave area is called a pit. If pit and fissure sealing can be performed when the child is a toddler, it can prevent tooth decay. Therefore, pit and fissure sealing is very beneficial for children. Let's learn more about this aspect.

Is it okay for children to have pit and fissure sealing?

Parents are worried about their children developing tooth decay and also worried about the side effects of pit and fissure sealing. Pit and fissure sealant is the best method for preventing permanent tooth caries promoted by the World Health Organization. The sealing material used for pit and fissure sealant is called pit and fissure sealant, which is a polymer composite resin material. After curing, it adheres tightly to the groove wall and has a certain resistance to chewing pressure, which does not hinder eating. The pit and fissure sealant is non-toxic after curing, harmless to the human body, and can generally be retained for a long time.

The principle of pit and fissure sealant to prevent pit and fissure caries is to fill the pits and fissures of teeth with polymer materials, making the tooth surface smooth and easy to clean. After the pit and fissure sealing, the nutrition source of all bacteria in the pit and fissure can be cut off, causing them to gradually die. It can also prevent caries-causing bacteria from outside from entering, thereby protecting the molars.

Children are the ones who are most suitable for pit and fissure sealing because they are young and cannot brush their teeth as carefully as adults. Secondly, children generally like to eat sweets, soft foods, and sticky foods, which easily stick to their teeth. The newly erupted teeth of young children are not fully calcified, so their teeth are more easily eroded and damaged. Pit and fissure sealing is the most effective method to prevent pit and fissure caries in permanent molars.

The best age for children to seal their pits and fissures

The main purpose of pit and fissure sealing is to prevent caries (tooth decay), so it is mainly aimed at newly erupted permanent molars in children and adolescents. The sixth-year teeth (teeth that grow when children reach the age of 6, with the largest crowns and the most cusps) are the teeth that are most responsible for chewing. Because they erupt early, they are prone to caries (cavities) if not properly protected, and therefore become the main targets for pit and fissure sealing. Usually the sixth molars fully erupt between the ages of 6 and 8, which is the best age for closure.