Are Dental Sealants Safe For Children?

The term dental sealant gets tossed around quite a bit in the world of pediatric dentistry. But what exactly is it? What does it do? And are dental sealants safe for kids? Well, if you have guessed that dental sealants are sealing a tooth, then you would be correct. 

What is a Dental Sealant? 

Dental sealants are made of a refined plastic that coats the teeth so that bacteria can’t get to them. The grooves of molars and premolars are hot spots for bacteria to hang and turn into cavities. With the protection of the dental sealant, however, this cannot happen. 

After a teeth cleaning, an acidic gel is placed on the teeth and then dried off. They are applied to the teeth and stick to the surface. It is a clear coating, so you cannot see that the sealant is ever there. Yet, it securely covers all the grooves of the teeth to keep them safe. 

Dental sealants do not cause any harm to the teeth. And they are most often recommended for children between six and 12 years of age. 

What is the Controversy? 

If you do just the slightest amount of research online about dental sealants, there is a good chance you will encounter a lot of websites discussing the safety of this well-known practice – with parents just like you trying to determine whether or not it is a safe option for their child. 

So, what’s all this talk about? 

There are claims that dental sealants have BPAs in them, and, well, it’s fairly common knowledge that BPAs are a no-no. Before you are quick to make your decision, it is important to do your research and truly understand BPAs. 

Bisphenol A, known as BPA, is a chemical that has been used to make plastics and resins for over 70 years. Traces of it can be found in metal food cans, paper towels, certain windows, water supply pipes, and more. It is also found, in trace amounts, in dental sealants. 

Because BPAs have been known to pose certain health risks, it is understandable that parents would be concerned. But are they safe? 

Are Dental Sealants Safe? 

The American Dental Association (ADA) has acknowledged that dental sealants have a slight amount of BPA, but that it is not enough to post any possible side effects in any form. A research study by Rathee, Malik and Singh was published in The US National Library of Medicines in 2012, stating that the highest level of BPA ever reported in dental sealants is well under .05mg – which is the acceptable dose.

In other words – the trace amount of BPA found in dental sealants is too small to be a concern, confirming that dental sealants are safe for kids.

Both the ADA and dentists alike highly recommend dental sealants. 

Tender Smiles 4 Kids provides pediatric dentistry services for children from infancy through adolescence in 5 convenient New Jersey Locations.