Dental sealants are heralded as one of the ‘great hopes’ to stop tooth decay in modern culture. Numerous research studies about sealants for teeth over the past 20 years have shown that sealants decrease tooth decay.
But what’s really going on here? Are the results of the studies accurate or being manipulated to paint a pretty picture? And most importantly, given that most of the modern dental culture still functions from within the story that the mouth is separate from the rest of the body, what about the whole body impact of sealants?
Today let’s explore 5 reasons why we are very cautious about dental sealants as well as a powerful strategy you can employ if you choose to have sealants placed on your child’s teeth to help mitigate much of the potential risks of sealants.
Sealants 1.0
According to WebMD, “Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth – usually the back teeth to prevent tooth decay. The sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.” According to the ADA, sealants reduce the risk of decay by up to 50%.
The reasoning behind sealants is that the chewing surfaces of our molars have deep fissures and cracks in them which oral hygiene isn’t always able to get down deep enough into to clean out. Sealants supposedly protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by ‘sealing out’ plaque and food.
On the surface it makes sense.
However, like so many subjects, those of us willing to look below the surface and look at the whole story see that the details with dental sealants aren’t all rosy.
Part of the issue is that sealants are based strictly on the story that the only cause of decay is ‘thug bugs’ on the surface of the teeth. However, by now most of you know the primary cause of tooth decay. While thug bugs do play their role in the decay process, it’s not as simple as just keeping thug bugs from the crevices in our molars.
1. Do sealants really stop decay like we’re told?
Stories are so powerful, especially when they give us hope for something positive. Every parent knows the stress of feeling like they aren’t providing the best possible chance for their child to live a healthy, happy, fulfilled life.
So, when a dentist comes along and tells us that our child has some decay, we feel some sense of ‘parental negligence’ which makes us vulnerable to the dentist’s follow up suggestion (and hope for a better future). The industry is all too happy to capitalize on the parent’s dread by offering the story of hope that sealants provide. “This simple, rather inexpensive treatment will protect your child’s teeth from decay” is the sales pitch.
But is it true?
Research studies point to a substantial decline in rates of decay on teeth treated from sealants.
However, studies are funded by large commercial interests looking for validation of the efficacy of their products. We all know results can be skewed to paint a pretty picture.
We have the unique privilege of being friends with a number of rockstar holistic dentists. Many of our professional friends have shared with us that sealants just simply don’t work like we’re told they do.
One dentist friend, in particular, confided in us that every sealant he removes has active decay under it. Every single one. Ok, so that’s only one dentist. But he does his best and is very astute with many aspects we share here including using ozone, microscopic precision and the whole body impact of dentistry. Add to that the fact that he is a naturopathic doctor AND dentist. In other words, we listen to his opinions.
So why would there be active decay under sealants?
1. It could be that the sealant was cracked so thug bugs were able to get under the sealant.
2. It could be that thug bugs slipped under the edge (called the margin) of the sealant.
3. It could be that the dentist didn’t sufficiently remove all diseased tissue prior to placing the sealant.
Needless to say, if sealants don’t stop decay as well as we’re told by the industry, that substantially lowers any perceived benefit from placing them.
2. All sealants contain compounds known to cause cancer
This issue deserves some clarification as there are plenty of internet myths circulating on this subject.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common compound used in plastic production. Many of us recall the uproar of BPA being used in children’s toys and baby bottles.
Very few dental sealants contain BPA these days. However (and it’s a big however in this case), all dental sealants contain BPA derivatives that convert to BPA by reacting with enzymes in our saliva.2
The ADA states, “dental materials used to treat and prevent caries can contribute to very low-level BPA exposure”.
However, research suggests that this ‘very low level’ is sufficient to cause changes in human breast cancer cells.
In a test called the ‘E-screen test’ which is based on the ability of human breast cancer cells to proliferate in the presence of estrogens, cell cultures treated with 4 different bis-GMA based sealants proliferated six times more than control cultures.3
One study concluded, “The use of bis-GMA-based resins in dentistry, and particularly the use of sealants in children, appears to contribute to human exposure to xenoestrogens”.3
There are strategies to lower the exposure to BPA when sealants are placed which we will discuss below.
3. Sealant manufacturers don’t disclose the ingredients of their products
This fact is just an ethical pet peeve of ours. If a company doesn’t have to disclose their ingredients and chooses to not do so, what are they trying to hide? Sure, they may be trying to keep proprietary information secret from competing companies, but is that all the story? It just seems like good business to disclose the ingredients. That way, the company empowers the consumer with the information. That is unless they don’t want the consumer to have the information…
With the internet, we are living in the ‘age of transparency’. If a company wants to continue and thrive in this current market, they have to step up and be honest, be transparent. Recent news with Volkswagen shines a light on what happens in this age of transparency if a company tries to play the game like they did 20 years ago.
To toot our own horn a bit, we are not required by law to list the ingredients of our HealThy Mouth Blend. But keeping that information from you would be hiding from you and in the complete opposite direction from how we choose to live and do business.
Instead, what we choose to do is stand up tall, face to face with you and say, “Here are our ingredients. They help. You can try to make your own if you want.” Thankfully, you appreciate our work and find benefit from using our products and purchase them from us.
4. Sealants wear off over time
The next time a dentist urges you to consent to sealants for your child, ask them the following questions.
“Do sealants last forever?” (which of course they will answer ‘no’)
The follow-up question is, “Where do the sealant materials go when they ‘go away’?
Of course, when the plastic sealant materials flake off the molars (which they always do), the child consumes the tiny plastic pieces.
While this isn’t a huge known risk of BPA exposure, we still think there is cause for concern.
In our modern age, we have an unprecedented exposure to environmental toxins, especially plastics. Never before in known human history have we been exposed to so many toxic substances and in such crazy combinations. If sealants work to stop decay 50% of the time, then we may have to consider this risk more closely. However, since there are many actions/steps we can take to lower our risk of decay (without knowingly exposing our already burdened systems with a known carcinogen), is the risk really worth the potential benefit?
5. The cracks and fissures in our molars are there for a reason
Dr. Ellie Phillips is our new professional ‘best friend’. 🙂 We recently had a super engaging phone conversation with her comparing notes across the boards of all things holistic oral health related.
In our conversation, when we got to the subject of sealants, she shared with us her perspective. The cracks and crevices in our molars are home to health-giving bacteria which are part of our healthy oral microbiome. By sealing these nooks and crannies, we are removing the very places that these health-giving microbes call home.
Stay tuned for a new expert interview with Dr. Phillips. She is a wealth of knowledge and has so much to share.
How to lower exposure to BPA when having sealants placed
The main risks of BPA exposure from sealants are in the few hours after having the sealants placed. In other words, the research does not suggest that sealants constantly off gas BPA (like amalgam fillings off-gas mercury vapor). So, the game is to reduce our exposure immediately after the sealants are placed.
The research clearly shows that the part of the sealant that is exposed to air while curing is the part that won’t fully cure. It’s this uncured plastic that is at risk of being converted to BPA by our saliva.
Thankfully, there are steps dentists can take to significantly reduce the amount of BPA the patient is exposed to when placing the sealant.
Rinsing with water: Rinsing with room temp water for 30 seconds immediately after sealants are placed has been shown to reduce exposure to uncured sealant materials by 68%.
Rubbing with cotton: Dentists can reduce our exposure by 85% by rubbing the sealant surface with a cotton swab.
Rubbing with pumice: The best strategy known to lower BPA exposure is for the dentist to clean the surface of the sealant with a soft grit pumice immediately after curing. This strategy does not compromise the strength of the sealant and lowers BPA exposure by up to 95%. 4
In a follow-up article, we will lay out specific questions you can ask your dentist about the details of their use of sealants to best care for your family’s long-term health.
Now it’s your turn. Given this information on sealants, do you think they are a wise choice? Why or why not? What is your experience with sealants? Do you have a story to share with us to help others better navigate their own path to greater oral health? Together we can learn so much.
Cheers to the age of transparency!!
Want to take a deeper dive how to stop decay in your home? Download our FREE eBook, How to Stop Tooth Decay and Remineralize Your Teeth.
Helpful, Related Resources:
How To Stop Tooth Decay and Remineralize Your Teeth [FREE eBook]
Why Teeth Decay (and how to stop it) [article]
4 Steps to Help Your Kids Live a Cavity Free Life [article]
Sources:
1. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-sealants
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3354837/
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1469315/
4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10599178
I’m wondering about SDF, silver diamine floride. Is this also negative due to toxicity?
Aloha Corrie,
Great question!
We here at OraWellness aren’t medical or dental professionals, so we can’t treat, diagnose, advise, etc. Instead, what we can do is share information with you to help you become self-empowered on your journey.
We haven’t done a lot of research on silver diamine fluoride (SDF) yet. At a glance, it may be heading in the right direction since it’s an attempt to postpone the drill, so that’s positive. That said, we’re not thrilled with the use of fluoride (especially in the concentrations often seen in dental offices) if there are other options available. It would be a different discussion if fluoride were the only compound on the planet that helped to arrest decay and support tooth remineralization, but it’s not. 🙂
Here are some links that explain more of our thoughts on fluoride:
Is Fluoride Safe to Use?
How to Determine if a Toothpaste Ingredient is Safe to Use in the Mouth
I hope that helps!
Aloha! 🙂
Thank you thank you thank you! Just had sealants put on my son’s teeth, and while in the room I had the feeling of “I should really hold off and research this”. BUT, I did it anyway. How can I get sealants removed? And while I was quickly trying to research sealants on my phone in the dentist’s office, I heard him say he was just finishing up with the fluoride varnish! As soon as we got home I had my son brush his teeth really well to get the fluoride off!!! Would you be able to share any info or dentist contacts who may be able to share info? Thanks!!
Aloha Andrew,
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂 We commend your willingness to research these matters for your son.
A good dentist can be hard to find, but once you find one, they can really be a dream for answering more questions on stuff like this. As you search for a dentist, remember that they are here to serve you, and you can choose who you are willing to work with.
Here’s an article that explains how to find a good dentist: Helpful Resources to Find a Qualified Dentist to Assist You
If you know a holistic practitioner (doctor, chiropractor, nutritionist, etc.) that you like and respect, you can always ask them who their dentist is or if they know of any dentists that they approve of in your area. It can also be helpful to Google reviews on the different holistic practitioners, dentists, and organizations that you encounter so you can see what kinds of experiences other folks have had with them.
I hope that helps! Aloha 🙂
I had four sealants, each was put on my first molars when I was 11. Four years later when I was 15, I developed a cavity right on one of my upper first molars (tooth #3), which previously had a sealant placed on it. During my dental exam, the dentist was checking my teeth, when his explorer “caught” onto tooth #3. He told me I have a small cavity, which shocked me because I knew a sealant had been placed on that exact same tooth. I choose not to take novocaine for my fillings because I am very bothered by the numb face/fat lip feeling and would rather tough it and get drilled without any numbing. The dentist believed the cavity was small and proceeded filling tooth #3 without novocaine. However once he began drilling, he soon realized the cavity was much deeper than he thought and was well down into the dentin. Luckily I have a high pain tolerance and was able to have my deep cavity filled without any numbing. I then saw on my bite wing x-ray that my new filling was about 2/3-way down from the biting surface to the pulp. I always go to the dentist every six months and have almost perfect teeth. Over the years, I have only gotten a few small cavities, which were very small in the enamel. The fact that all my other cavities were very small within a six month period, yet this cavity was so deep in the same time frame, makes me conclude that I must have had decay hidden underneath my sealant for a long time. Reading all these other blog comments further makes me conclude that my sealant must have worn and small holes opened up, allowing the decay to form underneath.
Hi Will & Susan, our child has hypermineralised first adult molars, which are sadly prone to decay and breaking. With your Shine remineralizing tooth powder and Healthy Mouth Blend, plus Dr Steven Lin’s dental diet, vitamin K2 supplement and Rosita cod liver oil for vitamin A and D, her molars have survived pain and cavity free for 2 years! Thanking you enormously for your amazing products. There has been some chipping of the molars though so a biological dentist recommended what he says is a safer sealant called Clearfil to protect against further breakdown. Please may I ask whether you or your holistic dentists would apply Clearfil if this was your child? Unfortunately we don’t have a holistic dentist anywhere near us. I’m worried that her molars would no longer be able to receive the remineralization from Shine through the sealant, or would Shine still reach through the sides of the molars? But am also worried about the breakdown 🙁
Aloha Tanya,
Thank you for reaching out and for your glowing remarks!
I’m sorry to hear of your daughter’s challenging situation. It’s so frustrating when we parents feel so unable to provide enough support.
Hmm, I agree with your concerns about a sealant. I believe that this would create a barrier for surface remineralization. Another concern I have is that if the dentist isn’t really, really careful, they could risk trapping pathogenic bacteria under the sealant. Ideally, the dentist would use ozone gas to thoroughly cleanse the region prior to placing the sealant. We aren’t aware of anything that cleanses like ozone gas as all other cleansers used are liquid based and will not permeate the porous structure of the tooth like ozone gas does.
So those are our concerns with this idea. Unfortunately, we don’t have the answers to tough situations like this. The best we can offer is to help bring our thoughts to the table with yours with the hope that doing so, you’ll be more equipped to navigate this tricky terrain.
I hope this helps you and your family!
This is a great article. I had no idea about the negatives of sealants from “holistic” dentists who use materials that are “better.” My newest and best-ever dentist (Rebecca Taylor — N of Seattle, WA) also says the ONLY WAY TO REMOVE A FAILING SEALANT IS TO DRILL THE TOOTH. So most sealants allow cavities to form as they break down and require drilling of enamel later down the road :-(.
I read this article with interest because I had a frustrating experience with sealants as a child. I never had a single cavity. Then my dentist suggested sealants on my molars. The very next visit, I had a cavity in one of the sealed molars. The next visit the same exact thing happened with a different sealed molar. Thankfully there were no more cavities after that. I’m 31 and those 2 cavities are still the only 2 that I have ever had.
What’s your feeling about having sealant placed where the enamel on the side of a molar has broken off?
If a dentist is going to remove a sealant, it would be to do a filling – so you could say 100% of removed sealants are on teeth that need fillings. Your logic in this article is flawed.
Late to the party here, but I am a 37 year old who switched to a new dentist recently. Not only did they find my first cavity, but recommended sealants due to the rest of my teeth being “virgin” with no work done. I immediately went for it, and am now wondering if I made the right choice. I had one side of my mouth done, and have had an adverse reaction to either the material for the sealant itself, or the acid etch used beforehand.
Specifically, the gums swelled, and I ended up with a rash in my mouth, as well as painful and swollen lymph node under the jawline on that side.
Some benadryl and advil have helped. I believe that I should have known better, considering I am also allergic to the cured gel manicures that have become so popular lately. I just didn’t think it would apply to teeth!
I am scheduled to have the other side of my mout hdone tomorrow, but given that this was not only a delayed hypersensitivity reaction, and that it is not fully gone yet, I don’t think I will be going forward with it.
My worry now is that the allergy will continue in some form or fashion, since the sealant is permanent. Also, I worry at having one half of my mouth done, and whether I should have the other done to match, leave it as is, or have the existing sealant removed.
I am so confused, and want to go back to my previous, cavity-free status. I feel like it has been a nightmare 2 weeks since I went to that first cleaning.
Just learned that my 27 year old niece went to a new dentist. Dentist saw something odd coming from a tooth with sealant. Removed the sealant and the tooth was decayed with a hole in it. She then removed other sealant and many had cavities. I’m now concerned about by 14 and 16 year old boys who both have sealants. ?
Aloha MB,
Yep, this is troublesome for sure. I think the ‘takeaway gem’ here is that we as the public simply cannot afford to assume that our dental team is taking the steps necessary to make very, very sure that the surface of the tooth being treated is free from decay. It’s a very real threat to our future dental health. The fact remains that dentistry is a very visually driven type of work yet one cannot see 100% of decayed tissue before applying a sealant or filling. Another unfortunate fact is that decay flourishes under the protective covering of a sealant or filling. Dangerous waters for sure.
Thus, why it is so critically important to find a dental team who is ideally suited to help you and your family along your path to optimal oral health.
Be sure to check out our free ebook “The OraWellness Guide to Safe Dentistry”. It’s a free download and full of helpful questions to ask a dental team to make sure they are heading in the right direction.
My 6-yo just had his regular check up a couple days ago and his dentist stated matter of factly that it’s time to put sealant on his teeth. I had never heard of this but sounded good since it will prevent cavities for the next +/-12 years (he’s never had any). They scheduled it for next month. Thankfully my wife was more hesitant when she heard about it and urged us to do some research, which led us here. I’m calling tomorrow to cancel the appointment.
Just took my 14 and 11 y.o. for their second ever cleaning/ check up visit. The dentist suggested sealant on my oldest teeth. I told them I would call to schedule the appointment for that. Got home and googled it. Re-found your website, I’ve been here before, and yes, sealants are definitely off. I told my daughter “if God wanted us to have flat surfaces instead of grooves on our back molars, I’m sure He could have made them that way.” So why do they put sealants on them? my daughter asked. probably for $$$ but instead we are going to take responsibility for our teeth health and have a healthy diet and proper hygiene. Yay!! Tku for writing on the subject. 😀
Can sealants be removed easily by dentist if a parent wants to now knowing more information?
My son has had sealants on his teeth for 15-20 years. They have been replaced by his dentist a few times. My son is now 25 and the dentist wants to replace them again. My concern is that my son has battled Hogkins Lymphoma 3 times. He has gone through radiation, chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant. He now is on an new immunotherapy drug. Does the protection of his teeth with sealants out weigh the possible risks of infection from a cavity. Or from chemotherapy or radiation? Is it the norm for sealants to be replaced at age 25?
Will,
Is it recommended to remove sealants ? If so, are there any procedure to ask for or avoid ?
Joshua
Aloha Joshua,
Hmm, good question. I haven’t researched this option yet. If I were going to have sealants removed, I would definitely want it done by a dentist who used some good suction to remove debris while working. Most biological dentists who remove amalgams more safely tend to have some stronger suction to use for such procedures.
Hmm, I really don’t have much insight on this idea yet Joshua. Always more to study and learn! Thanks for giving me another subject to dive into!
I”m wondering how you find the holistic dentists you reference in your article? I have tried searching unsuccessfully.
Aloha Amy,
Thanks for reaching out to us.
Great question!
Our articles “Helpful Resources to Find a Qualified Dentist to Assist You” and “7 Key Components of a Dream Dentist” will help you find a holistic dentist who will work with you on your journey navigating to greater oral health.
Thank you and Aloha!
My molars came in without enamel, so my folks had sealants put on them. I wonder how much of them are still there and how much I’ve swallowed over the last 40 or so years. The dentist suggested them as preventative measure for our oldest, and I’m glad we turned him down.
Aloha Martha,
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your story with us. While we can’t know, my guess is given it’s been 40 years, there isn’t any sealant materials still on your molars.
How have you gotten by with no enamel?? What have you done on your journey to optimal oral health?
I just got sealants put in, 3 in my mouth. So now what? I don’t want them anymore and paid a pretty penny too.
Aloha Helen,
Thank you for reaching out here.
I’m sorry to hear about your situation. At this point, if I were in your shoes, I would leave them in place and just be aware of potential issues and take corrective actions in the future if needed.
I hope that helps!
My oldest son at age 19 had only one cavity in his adult teeth.
A dentist who was paying attention was alarmed when she started investigating under sealants he had gotten many years earlier from a former dentist.
She found black decay under 10 sealants!
She fixed them all (took well into her lunch hour).
But now he has 10 teeth compromised from sealants that did not work and in fact were causing this hidden problem.
Thank God she found them.
Now I am worried about recent sealants that my younger son got…
This does not even address the BPA issue.
That same former dentist whose assistant did those 10 sealants did the research for me and assured me “no BPA” in those sealants…
Does the BPA reaction situation mentioned in this article happen with the white fillings we are getting as well, is my next concern/question?
Aloha Will and Susan,
Thank you for your research and insight that your posts and products provide. We continue to try and educate ourselves on new developments such as this for our family’s sake. As parents of two children under 3, can you recommend when or if we might consider a “well-visit” to the dentist? Just typing that phrase gives us the creeps, especially considering you article. Thank you again. We look forward to you continuing to educate us on our way to a healthy mouth.
Aloha Chris,
Thank you for taking the time from your busy family life to share your kind words of support with us. We are honored to be part of your path to greater oral health as a family.
I hear you on the creeps of a well-visit. It really depends on the quality of your dentist. We have always said that a dentist can literally be a lifesaver or cause so much damage. So much of this really hinges on the education/insight that your dental team has.
Given that you feel the creeps thinking about this notion, my guess is that’s your intuition telling you that you don’t have a lifesaver dentist yet (otherwise, you wouldn’t feel the creepy feeling and would feel such relief thinking of bringing your kids into their office).
Here’s an article that we hope will help you find a dentist who is ideally trained to assist you and your family to navigate to optimal oral health.
As always, feel free to holler with any other questions Chris, we’re here to help. 🙂
Hi guys- thanks for the kind words! I’d like to draw attention to something about sealant studies – the ones that say how great sealants are for preventing decay. Most of the studies talk of prevention lasting 6-10 years. There are important things everyone should know:
1.First adult molars erupt around 5 years old.
2. The studies say sealants prevent decay between the ages of 5 and 11+ years old.
3. Incisor teeth and canine teeth have flat surfaces and rarely decay.
4. Grooved fissures and the place where teeth meet together ( inter-proximal areas) are risk areas for cavities.
As a Pediatric dentist I understand tooth eruption and when baby teeth fall out.
Let’s suppose the first molars are sealed as they erupt at 5 years old. Now the flat incisors erupt, and baby teeth gradually begin to fall out. Canines erupt – but adult pre-molars and more adult molars will not erupt until age 12 – 15 in most cases.
What these studies show is nothing. In fact, disease remains in the child’s mouth and will go on to attack the erupted adult teeth in late teen or early twenties – when numerous cavities may occur at the same time – between teeth in the interproximal areas.
Aloha Dr Ellie!
Thanks as always for stopping by and offering your experienced view to our discussion here.
Yeah, it makes sense what you are saying about the study essentially showing nothing. I guess that’s what I was referring to when I posed the notion that studies can be conducted in a way to paint a pretty picture.
We are honored that you appreciate stopping by here to offer your experience.
Thank you and Aloha!
This is not even speaking about glass ionomer sealants.
It takes 3-4 yrs for the enamel crystals in a tooth to fully
mature. So the enamel in those grooves and fissures are not fully
developed. Using a drill to “clean” them out will shatter the crystals.
The resin sealant will retard the development and maturation of the
enamel crystals. Using air abrasion will lessen the damage to these
crystals and clean out the deep grooves. Using glass ionomer to fill
these areas will not retard their development. The glass ionomer will
wear faster than the resin sealant, but the whole idea is to allow the
tooth to mature and develop to it’s natural potential. So even if the
GI sealant wears, it will still allow the tooth fissures to develop normally.
Glass ionomers is made up of flouroaluminumsilicate, So, nothing is
totally benign. But, they are a whole lot better than resin sealants
in some cases.
Aloha Dr Eric,
Thank you for stopping by and adding your experienced views to our discussion!
It makes total sense what you say about resin sealants retarding the development of maturation of the tooth structure. Similar to the notion of putting braces on a child’s face that hasn’t fully developed, right? It’s going to disrupt the normal (aka healthy) development of their genetic potential.
Ugg on the composition of glass ionomers. We are ready for our global culture to realize that putting toxic substances in the mouth impacts the body. It’s as if our global culture has this ‘mental disconnect’ with our mouths which causes us to think that we can somehow put something in the mouth and not have it go into the rest of the body (despite the obvious fact that the mouth is the MAIN route that we introduce new ‘stuff’ into the body!)
Thanks again for stopping by to add your views!
Thanks for this article. Twice I have declined the invitation to seal my son’s teeth. Didn’t have any info on it (till this article), but these things are usually detrimental sooner and/or later. I will continue to decline. And besides, he hasn’t had a cavity yet in his 17.5 yrs.!! Praise YAH!
Congratulations Robin for following your sense! That’s what we call dental self empowerment!! Like the late Dr Hal Huggins would commonly say, “You can always just say no”. 🙂
The problem I’m running in to is that, in fact, I don’t have the right to say “no”. Our original pediatric dental office let me slide for a visit or two with regards to following their protocol, but eventually refused to continue seeing my kids if we didn’t follow their standard of care, which included regular x-rays and fluoride treatments.
We were subsequently turned away as new patients at another place for the same reasons.
Thanks! Although i don’t have children to get sealants, i found this very interesting anyway. I have often wondered how the rather aggressive system of dental cleaning and conventional tooth care impact our mouth micro biome. And I am curious to know what you think of Dr. Phillips’ dental care ideas. I have her book “Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye”, but the emphasis on fluoride toothpaste and Xylitol gave me pause. I look forward to your interview with her!
Aloha Joyce,
Thanks for stopping by to share your views on this discussion.
I think our culture will look back on these past 80 years of dentistry with such disdain in the future. While we don’t know exactly how conventional dentistry and products impact the oral micro biome, given that they are strictly based on the ‘kill germs’ mentality, I can’t imagine that there’s any compatibility.
Yes, the interview with Dr Ellie will be a fun one for sure!
Stay tuned…
Yeah for Dr. Ellie Phillips…I never knew about the crevaces being for friendly bacteria. Makes sense as long as people brush away the cavity-causing bacteria. On another note, “back in the day” my cracks and crevaces on all of my molars were filled with amalgam!! Yikes. I don’t hear people talk about brushing with probiotic powder strains for the mouth. I do that. It makes my mouth feel great…I don’t rinse out the powder right away, but just let it sit there doing its thing.
Aloha Annie,
Thanks as always for stopping by to add your voice to this discussion.
Ugg on the amalgams…
I think your idea of using probiotics in the mouth makes sense. Stay tuned as we have some fun info right along this line coming forward soon! 🙂
Are sealants the same as the glue used to keep the wire on the lower teeth in place after braces are removed? Just curious
Aloha Ginny,
Hmm, I don’t think so but we’re definitely not the experts on this subject. Any experts out there want to comment on Ginny’s question?
No, sealants are a different compound, but a similar application. Acid etch, a bonding agent and then the “cement” is used to bond a lingual retainer. Sealants are similar with etch and then the viscous sealant placed and light cured. Essentially, as I understand, all bonding agents and sealants are summer type of plastic that gets cured or polymerized by the high intensity light. They both “seal off” the tooth structure underneath the bond. I have a lingual retainer, and an very happy with it, and I make sure to clean around it and make sure there is no bind failure. If the cement comes loose on the edge then absolutely bacteria can get in that area and start to”eat away” at the enamel causing carries.
Yes, I believe it is. Thats what my dentist said to me.
No. I am a dental hygienist and have been for over 20 years and can tell you sealants are a benefit. I would like to see the actual research with foot notes on any ill health effects. Also this article is incorrect. MANY dentists use sealants with BPA and it is listed in the ingredients. 3M is BPA free and many others but there is a worse chemical in some of the BPA free that I am still researching…how I got here as I want to ensure the best for my patients. Rhonda Maza.
Thank you for adding your experienced voice to this discussion Rhonda!
It’s SO helpful when dental professionals like you are willing to share your experience and speak your minds here.
More please! 🙂
I look forward to your interview with Dr Ellie Phillips. I read her book with excitement as I thought her system would be very helpful! However, I did not follow the system as I didn’t want to use the conventional toothpaste and mouthwash products she suggested. If there is a way to follow her system using holistic products, such as the HealThy Mouth Blend that you offer, then that would be truly awesome!!
Aloha Sue,
Yep, agreed on having a combined strategy of Dr Ellie’s protocol with holistic products! Stay tuned!!
I would like to add another thought concerning sealants that Dr. Hal Huggins mentions in his book Patient Empowerment. He states that decay results from the reversal of fluid flow in the tooth, not from “outside” bacteria. The problem with sealants is that they do not permit the natural fluid flow by obstructing the flow outward into the mouth. (see page 50 of the book) Will, I know you would like to make this point! Thank you for all you do!
Aloha Kathy,
You are SO right! I had completely forgotten about Dr Huggins’ reference to sealants in Patient Empowerment (great read by the way). We speak often that the primary cause of decay is dentinal fluid flow. Thanks so much for bringing this together on this article!
I am currently being encouraged by our pediatric dentist to have sealants placed on my daughters’ back permanent molars. My question is whether it would be the lesser of two evils… If they DO get cavities back there, is it less toxic to fill those, or is it less toxic to have the sealants on there? I’d love to read something from your experts about this. Thx!
Aloha Zoe,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
I hear you and agree with your line of questioning about the relative risks of sealants vs composite fillings if they get decay. Really, in this case, one you can definitely avoid (the sealants) whereas the other the girls may be able to avoid depending on their diet and willingness to ‘own’ the health of their mouths. Given that one of our dentist friends has shared with us that all sealants he removes have active decay under them, we are not fans of sealants at all. That said, each of us has the opportunity and responsibility to navigate this path for our family and we can’t say what’s best for another.
I hope this info helps you and your family navigate this sometimes crazy terrain!
Thanks again for asking!
Sealants don’t prevent cavities. Tiny parts of them wear away, and more crap gets in that cannot escape, regardless of how you brush.
I live in Europe, which means that I have an extra step in researching health issues, because the EU regulations are often very different from the US reality that is represented in so much internet content. However I was quite taken aback when, at a routine semi-annual check-up, my dentist mentioned in passing that my daughter’s adult molars were in so he’d be sealing them as part of the cleaning routine. It was not a question. Like a true mama warrior, I said “um, I think today with the baby here too we don’t have time for that” (any port in a storm, right?) and went home to look stuff up. I’d never heard of sealants, except maybe when there was a known problem (due to intrauterine issues, my cousin’s milk teeth were highly compromised so they were sealed to try to prolong their life before they crumbled out of her head, for example) so it came as a surprise that this came up for my healthy kid. On the basis of zero preexisting information I had a gut reaction that painting plastic in a mouth – particularly a little girls’ mouth – wasn’t wise. Plus, if (as I understand it) the reaction between enamel and saliva helps keep the teeth healthy, sealing them is counterproductive. I can’t wait until her next check up. Not.
Interesting idea that molar crevices are the appendix of the mouth. Not particularly appetizing, but interesting.
Hehe Lauren.
Thanks for stopping by and offering your input!
Aloha Lauren,
Thank you for stopping by to share your story with us. I agree that putting sealants on teeth inhibits one of the body’s natural functions to remineralize surface decay via interaction of the tooth with saliva.
We are honored that we are part of your journey to optimal oral health.
Aloha
I had the same reaction when my almost 3 year old’s dentist recommended sealant’s on 3 teeth because of the way they felt to her, no X-ray. I’m a skeptical consumer and said I’d think about it, especially because she was pushing it. Weighing costs and benefits, I’ll wait. Doesn’t seem like sufficient basis for sealants at this time. Thanks for the article and info!
Good, informative article! Thanks for all the input.
Thanks Zirah!
All five of my kids had sealants. I wish I would’ve known about the pumice,etc. They are grown now & no cavities thankfully
So glad to hear it Sarah!!