;)
Adults in their 20’s and 30’s may not have any cavities because they grew up with fluoride in water and toothpaste. But they still may need sealants, a procedure that’s not just for kids.Young adults like Kate Knochel have avoided the most common childhood disease—tooth decay or cavities. My first one was like when I was 19, said Kate.
So Kate’s dentist, Dr. Bob Hunsucker of Plano, suggested sealing Kate’s cavity free molars.
“Sealants are perfect for teeth that have never had a cavity before, and never had a filling before," said Dr. Hunsucker. "Sealants are plastic resin that flow into the grooves of the teeth and help prevent the bacteria from getting into the teeth that causes decay in the teeth.”
Children should have first molars sealed at about age six and second molars at about age twelve, or as soon as they come in. Dental insurance often pays for the procedure. But after age fourteen, says Dr. Hunsucker, “There may be a problem with insurance not covering the sealants. But it is sure worth paying the small price of a sealant versus getting a cavity and having to pay a bigger price for a filling.”
;)
One sealants costs about 30 to 40 dollars. One filling costs as much as 140 dollars.One high risk group for cavities appears to be college students, especially college freshman.
“When kids go off to college, they’re eating differently," said Dr. Hunsucker. "They’re not brushing the same. Mom or dad are not there to remind them to brush. And we’ll see cavities when they come back from that first semester. They’ll have a cavity or two just because things have changed.”
Kate fit that profile. Her first cavity developed during college.
“When I came home from my freshman year," said Kate, "maybe I hadn’t been brushing my teeth enough.”
So if your college student comes home with cavities this semester, give him or her an education about sealants. They’re not just for children.
For more information, check out dentalhealthcheck.org.
For Texas A&M Health Science Center, Baylor College of Dentistry, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen.
THE BROADCAST VIDEO
STORY: ADULT SEALANTS
SCRIPT #856
AIRDATE: May 2008
Writer/Producer/Editor: Sara Ivey
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