To maintain proper oral hygiene practices for optimal dental health in adults, fillings help to heal teeth and halt the progression of cavities; however, these alone cannot prevent their formation. To further protect from decay, dentists often recommend using sealants on chewing surfaces.
Brushing and flossing your teeth are essential elements of an everyday oral hygiene routine that helps remove food debris and plaque from the surface. But even with meticulous brushing, it’s impossible to get rid of all the plaque on the teeth in the back of your mouth.
Sealing the mouth’s crevices with sealants is an effective way for both adults and children to prevent cavities. It prevents food particles from sticking in hard-to-reach places, shielding them against plaque build-up. Children and adolescents are particularly prone to decay within their premolars or molars due to deep pits and fissures; thus making it especially important that they benefit from this protective measure.
What are dental sealants?
Essentially, dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are placed on the chewing surfaces of your molars and premolars. Typically, these teeth have little pits and crevices where food can accumulate easily – making them vulnerable to bacteria-causing illnesses or gum disease. Applying this protective coating will help maintain good oral hygiene and preserve your smile for longer!
Applying sealants securely binds them to the tooth’s surface, sealing the shallow crevices and fissures. This dramatically minimizes your risk of dental caries and gum disease. Additionally, a sealed surface makes brushing and flossing easier for improved oral hygiene habits, which further reduces your risk of dental caries and gum disease.
How are sealants applied?
Dental sealant placement is a simple procedure. First, the teeth must be cleaned of plaque and food and examined for any signs of decay. Next, the surface will be conditioned with an appropriate cleaning solution to ensure adherence when applying the sealant material onto grooved areas. Once this step has been completed, curing light can then be used to enable the hardening of the applied sealant on each tooth – finishing off your process!
After all of the plaque and/or food particles have been eliminated from your teeth, our team will thoroughly examine each tooth for potential signs of decay. We then dry the chosen tooth and apply an absorbent agent to successfully secure a sealant in place.
Our dental team will then apply a viscous material directly to the chewing surface of each tooth as required. Isolating them for bacteria prevention. If a small cavity is found, our professionals are able to clean out any infection prior to sealant placement. To complete the process and ensure lasting protection against decay, a curing light is used in order to harden the dental sealant.
Sealants work for all ages
Contrary to popular belief, sealants aren’t only beneficial for children. The truth is that although this age group tends to be the most common recipients of treatment, anyone can reap its advantages. Older patients’ permanent teeth are also prone to small grooves which need filling in order to protect them from bacteria – thus making the use of sealants an ideal solution!
Benefits of dental sealants
Sealants are an effective way to safeguard your teeth against bacteria that can cause decay and destruction. The grooves on your molars make a perfect spot for these organisms to lodge, but with sealants, you have the power to stop them in their tracks! Here are four excellent advantages of using this preventative approach, so find out now how it could benefit your smile!
Saves your money
If sealants are a good choice for you, they should be seriously considered. These protective coatings will ensure the continued health of your teeth and gums, stop cavities in their tracks, and provide peace of mind that there’s no need to worry about costly damage or decay. Investing in sealants is truly an investment in yourself!
Sealants protect your teeth against cavities and gum disease
Dental sealants have one purpose: to defend your teeth’s enamel. By shielding the grooves and fissures on the biting surfaces, they prevent food debris, tartar, and plaque from accumulating in your mouth. With regular brushing and flossing, any remaining bits of food are quickly removed – drastically reducing your chances of cavities or gum disease.
Safe and long-lasting
Investing in dental sealants ensures your teeth remain cavity-free for up to 10 years when properly applied and maintained. However, it is important to regularly monitor the condition of your sealant since it can become damaged or wear off over time. By doing so, any damages can be identified swiftly and treated by reapplying them where needed immediately.
Improves your oral hygiene and health
The advantage of sealants is that they simplify your daily dental hygiene. By making the chewing surfaces of your molars smoother, brushing becomes far more effortless and straightforward. Don’t forget that dental sealants do not replace your daily oral hygiene practices. It is essential to keep brushing and flossing every day in order to maintain a healthy mouth.
How can I assist my child in maintaining oral health?
Keeping up with dental sealants is an easy task and does not differ from the normal care of your teeth. For optimal results, use a toothbrush featuring soft bristles along with a re-mineralizing agent like hydroxyapatite or fluoride-based toothpaste twice daily. This simple practice ensures outstanding oral hygiene and safeguards your mouth against decay caused by plaque buildup.
Eating a diet high in berries or colorful juices may cause your child’s dental sealants to become stained, or even fall off if they indulge in gummy and sugary treats too often. For optimal oral hygiene, it is important to ensure that healthy eating habits and at-home care techniques are part of their regular routine.
How long will dental sealants last?
Sealants are impressive in their durability, enduring chewing, and other wear and tear for several years. Depending on the material used as well as the technique applied, they can even offer up to 10 years of protection against decay – an invaluable benefit!
If your kids are clenching, teeth grinding, or suffering from acid reflux frequently and/or exposed to an acidic diet; the sealants may not stay on as long. When that happens, don’t worry! Your dentist will inspect them during preventive care visits and suggest reapplication if necessary.
Schedule your next dental visit and ask us about dental sealants!
Now you know the many benefits of having a dental sealant placed on your molars and premolars. Schedule your appointment with us today and let’s discuss if the sealants are right for you! We’ll provide a comprehensive evaluation of your mouth to identify any cavities or oral health problems that you have.
Call us at (915) 260-6575 or click the link below to schedule your next dental appointment!
