Are tooth sealants necessary?

[Sojourner]

I took my six-year-old to the dentist this past Monday and he said that he would like to put tooth sealant on each of his six-year molars. My son does have four cavities so he may be more prone to getting cavities. Does anybody know if the sealants are necessary (for kids prone to getting cavities) or is it just a way for the doctor to make more money?

[la mamita]

I get them every few years; I always start getting toothaches when eating cold or sugary foods, think I have a cavity, make an appointment and they say "no, no cavity, but you need more sealant put on" and then my teeth are all better. I don't think they are just a waste of money, because being prone to having openings in the teeth like that means a higher cavity risk.

[Eman'smom]

They are way cheaper than filling a cavity, they dont' hurt and all since it's just painted on.  I'd say get sealents on all adult teeth.

[Panserbjorne]

but the saliva helps to bathe the enamel in minerals and fortify it.  What's going on if the saliva can't reach the teeth?

[tanyalynn]

I think it does reduce cavities in those surfaces, but IMO there are other ways to reduce the likelihood of cavities and given that, I'm not comfortable with the chemicals in the sealants.  Dental sealants contain BPA and one can argue that it's very difficult to avoid all exposure, and low levels with some other benefits may be worthwhile, but if you can find another way to get the same benefits, then the risk becomes less worthwhile. 

Have you read any of the Curing Cavities with Nutrition sticky?  IMO it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing deal--well, the more involved someone's health problems are, the more it does, but for people with typical situations, maybe a few nutritional modifications and a few supplements and that's it. 
 

Originally Posted by Sojourner 

I took my six-year-old to the dentist this past Monday and he said that he would like to put tooth sealant on each of his six-year molars. My son does have four cavities so he may be more prone to getting cavities. Does anybody know if the sealants are necessary (for kids prone to getting cavities) or is it just a way for the doctor to make more money?

Edited by tanyalynn - 11/19/10 at 6:46am