Research studies have confirmed that pit and fissure sealing can effectively help children prevent tooth decay.
But there are still many parents who find that: Mingming has done pit and fissure sealing for their baby early in the morning, and still has tooth decay. What’s going on?
Don’t worry, the child’s tooth decay may be caused by the following 4 conditions.
Situation 1: After the pit and fissure was sealed, there was no regular review at the hospital
Pit and fissure sealing, in simple terms, is to seal the deep pit and fissure on the tooth surface with materials to prevent cariogenic bacteria and sugar-containing acidic metabolites from accumulating in the pit and fissure. , a caries preventive measure against tooth decay.
So, after the pit and fissure sealing, do I need to go to the hospital?
In fact, even with strict dentistry, the probability of pit and fissure sealants falling off is as high as 5-10% per year. Because the pit and fissure sealant has to come into direct contact with food when chewing, the surface will be worn over time. If you eat hard food frequently, the risk of the sealant falling off will be higher.
In addition, if the child’s cooperation is not high, the moisture barrier is not done well when the pit and fissure is sealed, which will cause saliva contamination and increase the risk of the sealant falling off.
Therefore, after the pit and fissure sealing, you should go to the hospital for a review every 3 to 6 months. If the sealant is found to be incomplete, it must be repaired in time.
Situation 2: There is no caries in the pit and fissure seal, but other parts are damaged
Pit and fissure sealing only protects the deep fissures and fissures of the molars. For other parts of the tooth (such as the exposed occlusal surface, the adjacent surface between the teeth, the lingual surface and the cheeks, etc.) are not protective.
Therefore, in addition to pit and fissure sealing, it is also necessary to regularly apply fluoride to the tooth surface other than the pit and fissure.
Appropriate amount of fluoride can not only promote the mineralization of teeth and bones (both inhibiting demineralization of tooth enamel and promoting the remineralization of demineralized enamel), but also interferes with the metabolic activities of cariogenic bacteria, inhibiting the Bacterial adhesion and acid production can effectively reduce the caries rate.
Furthermore, fluoride penetrates better on smooth tooth surfaces, and when combined with pit and fissure sealing, can provide ideal protection for the entire tooth.
It should be reminded that whether it is pit and fissure sealing or fluoride coating, the protection effect on the adjacent surface is very limited. Therefore, it is necessary to use dental floss regularly to remove the food embedded in the adjacent surface. Removal of debris (hard to reach with a toothbrush), and cleaning of adjacent surfaces.
In addition to regular fluoride application, pit and fissure sealing and flossing, parents should also urge their children to brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste in the morning and evening to keep the mouth clean and reduce the intake of high-sugar foods. In order to effectively prevent tooth decay.
Case 3: The timing of pit and fissure sealing is inappropriate
The timing of pit and fissure sealing depends on when the child’s teeth erupt.
Usually, deciduous molars erupt at 3-4 years old, first permanent molars (ie, 6-year-old teeth) erupt at 6-7 years old; and second permanent molars (ie, those behind the 6-year-old teeth) erupt. That one) doesn’t come out until the age of 11-13.
Therefore, the timing of pit and fissure sealing should be selected at the three age stages of 3~4, 6~7 and 11~13 years old.
Because it takes about 1.5 years from the eruption of the first permanent molars and the second permanent molars to the complete exposure of the pits and fissures, and the establishment of occlusion between the upper teeth and the lower teeth, so when the pits and fissures are sealed, , It is necessary to wait until the teeth are fully erupted and the pits and fissures are completely exposed, in order to ensure a higher success rate of pit and fissure sealing.
If the teeth are only partially erupted, some of the pits and fissures will be covered by the gums. If the pits and fissures are sealed at this time, it is difficult to clean and dry the tooth surface, resulting in the sealant not sticking firmly. , easy to fall off.
Of course, for those children who are prone to tooth decay and have symptoms of tooth decay before the teeth fully erupt, pit and fissure sealing can also be done in advance to protect the teeth with high caries risk first. , Wait until the teeth are fully erupted, and then do another pit and fissure sealing.
Case 4: No filling after tooth decay, only pit and fissure sealing
If the child’s pits and fissures have been decayed, it is usually not recommended to seal the pits and fissures for the cavity, but to remove the decayed dentin as soon as possible Fillings.
If a pit and fissure seal is done reluctantly when the cavities are not treated, not only will the sealant fall off due to poor adhesion, but it will also cover up the progress of the cavities.
Therefore, once you find that your child has cavities, you must go to the hospital in time to fill up the small cavities, and then seal up and protect the pits and fissures without cavities.
In short, although pit and fissure sealing is currently recognized as a good method to effectively prevent pit and fissure caries, it is also necessary to choose the right time to do pit and fissure according to the child’s tooth eruption and caries. Closed, usually pay attention to oral hygiene, and regularly review.