New CDC Fact Sheet & Infographics: Dental Sealants
Mon, 12/19/2016 - 11:53am — TeethFirst
Dental sealants are thin coatings that when painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars) can prevent cavities for many years. School-age children (ages 6-11) without sealants have almost 3 times more 1st molar cavities than those with sealants. Although the overall number of children with sealants has increased over time, low-income children are 20% less likely to have them and 2 times more likely to have untreated cavities than higher-income children. Untreated cavities can cause pain, infection, and problems eating, speaking, and learning. States can help millions more children prevent cavities by starting or expanding programs that offer dental sealants in schools.
Key points include:
- Dental sealants prevent 80% of cavities in the back teeth, where 9 in 10 cavities occur
- About 60% of children ages 6-11 years don’t get dental sealants.
- Children from low-income families are 20% less likely to get dental sealants than children from higher-income families