I totally get the second-guessing. I had sealants put on my grandkids’ molars, and I was skeptical about the “trapping bacteria” thing too. But honestly, if you’re keeping an eye on them and still doing regular cleanings, is there really much risk? Or am I missing something? I wonder if the bigger issue is how often dentists check under the sealants during visits...
That’s a really good point about dentists checking under the sealants. I remember asking ours if they actually look for issues underneath, and she said they keep an eye out for any signs of trouble during cleanings. I get being nervous about bacteria getting trapped, but as long as the sealant’s applied to a clean tooth and you’re still brushing and seeing the dentist, it seems like the benefits outweigh the risks. My niece has had them for years with no problems so far. It’s definitely not a “set it and forget it” thing, though—you still have to stay on top of regular care.
That’s really reassuring to hear. I felt the same way—worried about stuff getting trapped under there, but our dentist explained it pretty much like yours did. My kid’s had sealants for a couple years now and so far, no issues. Do you notice if your niece’s sealants ever chipped or wore down? Ours got a little spot that needed a touch-up, but the dentist caught it early. I think as long as we’re keeping up with checkups, it’s worth it.
