To do this, healthy routines must be followed from childhood, such as good oral hygiene, eating a balanced diet and going to the dentist for regular check-ups. However, in some cases it is also necessary to incorporate some preventive treatments to combat dental caries, such as fissure sealants, varnish and fluoride gel. Sealants are mainly indicated in the child population to protect the occlusal surfaces, generally, of the permanent molars. The greatest risk of caries at this level occurs in the first 4 years after the eruption of the molars, which is why, except in exceptional cases of very high risk of caries, sealants are not usually applied in adults. On the contrary, topical fluoride varnish and gel are indicated for both children and adults, as their efficacy has been demonstrated regardless of age.

The fissure sealant

It consists of a layer of resin that is placed on the chewing surface of the molars with the aim of preventing the appearance of cavities. After its application, the fissure becomes a smooth surface on which it is more difficult for bacteria to grow. In fact, with this treatment 80% of cavities are prevented. Its average duration is about 4 or 5 years, although it is possible that there may be a partial loss of the sealant at some point in the fissure, so it is advisable to review them every six months and reapply them if they detect deterioration. It is estimated that 83% of the sealants are still perfectly retained 3 years after their application.

Varnish and fluoride gel

It is a varnish and a special gel that the dentist applies to the surface of the teeth, especially in those areas where the brush does not reach. They are indicated in patients with moderate or high risk of caries, since it reduces it by 40%. Due to its own mechanisms of action, its periodic application is necessary every 4 or 6 months, depending on the patient's risk of caries, because the effect of professional topical fluoride is diluted over time.

Both fissure sealants and fluoride varnish and gel are preventive techniques that are usually reserved for patients with moderate or high risk of caries. These techniques fall into the group of preventive treatments, do not require anesthesia, are completely painless and are performed in a very short time. The General Council of Dentists recalls that half of the carious teeth in children under 6-7 years of age are untreated, which is why it insists on the importance of parents regularly taking their children to the dentist, who will evaluate the state of their oral health and may apply preventive treatments such as those described above. For every euro spent on prevention, 20 euros are saved on treatment.