As a dentist who has dedicated his career to creating beautiful, healthy smiles, I know that there is nothing more precious to a parent than their child’s well-being. When you walk into my office, you are trusting me with that health. That is a responsibility I take very seriously. One of the most common preventative treatments we recommend for children is the application of dental sealants. They are fantastic tools for fighting tooth decay. However, as parents become more educated about the materials used in medical and dental products, I often get asked about the chemical composition of these materials.

Specifically, parents want to know about Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA. You might have seen “BPA-Free” labels on water bottles and plastic containers at the grocery store. It is natural to wonder if this chemical is present in the materials going into your child’s mouth. I am writing this guide to assure you and explain exactly why, in my practice, we strictly use BPA-free sealants for children. I believe that preventative care should be safe, effective, and free from unnecessary chemical exposure.

The Battle Against Tooth Decay

Before we dive into the chemistry of the materials, it is important to understand why we recommend sealants in the first place. Tooth decay remains one of the most common chronic diseases among children. It can lead to pain, infection, and problems with eating, speaking, and learning. While brushing and flossing are essential, they are not always enough to reach the deep grooves and pits of the back teeth, known as molars.

The anatomy of a molar is designed to grind food, which means it has deep crevices. These crevices are often smaller than a single bristle of a toothbrush. Food particles and bacteria can easily get trapped there, creating a perfect environment for cavities to form. This is where dental sealants come into play. Think of a sealant as a protective shield or a raincoat for the tooth. It covers those deep grooves, creating a smooth surface that is easy to clean and effectively locking out decay-causing bacteria.

A Look at the Numbers

You do not just have to take my word for it; the statistics regarding the effectiveness of this treatment are undeniable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dental sealants prevent 80% of cavities in the permanent molars (back teeth) for two years after application, and they continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to four years. This is a massive reduction in the risk of decay, which means fewer fillings and less drilling for your child later on.

Despite these benefits, many children still do not get them. Another data point from the CDC highlights that children aged 6 to 11 without sealants have almost three times more first-molar cavities than children with sealants. These numbers drive my passion for this procedure. It is a simple, painless way to secure a cavity-free future for our kids.

Understanding the BPA Concern

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: BPA. Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. It is often found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Over the years, studies have raised concerns about BPA because it is an endocrine disruptor. This means it can mimic the body’s natural hormones, potentially interfering with the endocrine system.

For parents, the primary worry is that exposure to BPA could affect the development of the brain and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children. It has also been linked in some studies to increased blood pressure and behavioral changes. Because of these potential risks, the industry has seen a massive shift toward BPA-free products, from baby bottles to canned food liners.

BPA in Dentistry

In the past, some dental materials, including certain composites and sealants, contained derivatives of BPA. It is important to clarify that BPA itself is rarely a direct ingredient in dental materials. However, it can be a byproduct of other chemicals breaking down, or a trace impurity in the manufacturing process of resins like bis-GMA. When these older sealants interacted with saliva, minute amounts of BPA could potentially be released.

While the American Dental Association and other regulatory bodies have stated that the low-level exposure from traditional dental materials poses no known health threat, I believe in taking a proactive approach. If we can eliminate the risk entirely, why wouldn’t we?

Why I Choose BPA-Free Materials

In my practice, “good enough” is never the standard. I strive for the best. When it comes to the materials I place in your child’s mouth, I exercise an abundance of caution. This is why we have transitioned to using strictly BPA-free dental sealants.

Here is why I made this decision for my patients:

• Peace of Mind for Parents: I know that modern parents are vigilant about reducing their family’s toxic load. By using BPA-free materials, I can look you in the eye and tell you that your child is safe from this specific chemical exposure.
• Biocompatibility: The modern BPA-free formulations we use are highly biocompatible. They work in harmony with the natural tooth structure without introducing potentially disruptive chemicals.
• No Compromise on Durability: Some might worry that removing certain chemicals weakens the product. Fortunately, dental technology has advanced tremendously. The BPA-free sealants we use are just as strong, durable, and effective at preventing cavities as their traditional counterparts.
• Holistic Health Approach: I view oral health as a critical part of overall systemic health. By minimizing chemical exposure in the mouth, we are supporting the overall wellness of the growing child.

The Application Process: What to Expect

I want to walk you through exactly what happens when your child gets sealants in my chair. One of the best things about this procedure is that it is incredibly fast and completely painless. There is no drilling and no need for numbing shots. It is usually a very positive experience for children, helping to build their trust in the dentist.

Step 1: Cleaning and Preparation

First, my team and I will thoroughly clean the tooth. We need to make sure there is no plaque or food debris hiding in those grooves. We use a polishing brush and pumice to get the surface sparkling clean. Once cleaned, we dry the tooth. Keeping the tooth dry is the most critical part of the process, so we use cotton rolls or a small shield to keep saliva away.

Step 2: Conditioning the Surface

To ensure the sealant sticks properly, we apply a mild conditioning gel to the chewing surface of the tooth. This gel slightly roughens the enamel on a microscopic level. It doesn’t hurt the tooth; it just creates a texture that allows the sealant to bond tightly. We leave this on for a few seconds and then rinse it off and dry the tooth again.

Step 3: Painting the Sealant

Once the tooth is prepared, I carefully paint the liquid BPA-free sealant material into the deep grooves and pits of the molar. It flows like a thick paint, filling in all those vulnerable areas where bacteria like to hide.

Step 4: Curing

Finally, we use a special blue curing light to harden the sealant. This takes about 20 to 60 seconds. Once the light goes off, the sealant is hard, and your child can chew on it immediately. We will check the bite to make sure the sealant isn’t too high, and that is it!

Durability and Maintenance

A common question I get is, “How long do they last?” With proper care, dental sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years. However, they are subject to wear and tear from normal chewing forces. This is why regular check-ups are so important.

Every time you bring your child in for their six-month cleaning, I check the sealants. I look for any chips or signs of wearing down. If a sealant has come off or worn thin, it is a very simple process to add more material and repair it. Because we use high-quality, BPA-free resin, the bond is generally excellent.

To help the sealants last as long as possible, I encourage children to avoid chewing on hard ice or incredibly sticky, gummy candies, which can sometimes pull at the sealant material. Other than that, they should brush and floss normally.

Who Should Get Sealants?

While adults can sometimes benefit from sealants, they are primarily used for children and teenagers. The timing is usually based on when the permanent molars erupt.

• First Molars: These usually appear around age 6. Getting them sealed as soon as they fully emerge is the best way to keep them cavity-free from the start.
• Second Molars: These typically come in around age 12. Sealing these offers a second layer of protection during the teenage years when diet and hygiene habits can sometimes fluctuate.

Occasionally, we might recommend sealants for baby teeth if a child has particularly deep grooves and is at high risk for cavities. Saving baby teeth is vital because they hold the space for the permanent teeth.

The Cost-Benefit Analysis

Sometimes parents are concerned about the cost of adding another procedure. However, when you look at the long-term perspective, sealants are a money-saver. The cost of a sealant is a fraction of the cost of a filling. If a tooth develops a cavity, you are looking at the cost of the filling, potentially multiple replacements of that filling over a lifetime, and in severe cases, a root canal or crown.

Most dental insurance plans cover sealants for children under the age of 18 because insurance companies know that prevention is cheaper than the cure. By investing in sealants now, you are investing in a future where your child spends less time in the dental chair and more time smiling.

Connecting General Health and Oral Health

My philosophy has always been that the mouth is the gateway to the body. We cannot treat teeth in isolation. When we reduce inflammation and bacterial load in the mouth, we help the body’s immune system. Similarly, by choosing materials that are non-toxic and BPA-free, we are respecting the complex biology of a growing child.

For more in-depth information on how preventative dentistry impacts overall health, I recommend reading this article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Oral Health. It provides excellent resources on why maintaining a healthy mouth is crucial for a healthy life.

Addressing Common Myths

There is a lot of information on the internet, and not all of it is accurate. I want to clear up a few myths I hear regarding sealants.

Myth: Sealants cover up decay.

Fact: We always thoroughly examine the tooth (often using digital X-rays or laser detection) to ensure there is no decay before placing a sealant. In some cases, clear sealants can actually stop very early-stage decay (incipient lesions) from progressing by cutting off the nutrient supply to the bacteria.

Myth: Sealants taste bad.

Fact: While the material itself might have a slight bitter taste if it touches the tongue before it is cured, this goes away instantly once the material is hardened. After the procedure, there is no taste at all.

Myth: If you have sealants, you don’t need to brush.

Fact: This is definitely false! Sealants only protect the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They do not protect the sides of the teeth or the spaces between teeth. Flossing and brushing are still absolutely mandatory to prevent cavities in those other areas.

My Commitment to Your Family

Navigating the world of pediatric healthcare can be overwhelming. There are so many choices to make, and you always want to do the right thing. I hope this explanation has clarified why dental sealants are such a valuable tool and why our commitment to BPA-free materials matters.

I treat every child who sits in my chair as if they were my own. That means I will never use a product or a material that I wouldn’t be comfortable using on my own family. The shift to BPA-free sealants is just one example of how dentistry is evolving to be safer, more effective, and more holistic.

If you have been hesitant about sealants because of chemical concerns, I hope this puts your mind at ease. We have the technology to protect your child’s teeth safely. A cavity-free childhood is a gift that lasts a lifetime, contributing to better self-esteem and better overall health.

If your child is approaching the age of 6 or 12, or if you simply want to check if their molars are vulnerable, please bring them in. We can discuss your specific concerns, check the depth of their tooth grooves, and decide together on the best plan of action. My team and I are here to support you in raising a generation of children with strong, healthy, and happy smiles.