When it’s raining, do you ever use an umbrella (if you can find one)? When you get your car washed, do you ever spring for the extra couple dollars to add on a layer of wax or sealant? If the answer to either of those questions is “yes,” then the advantages of dental sealants will be immediately obvious.
Cavities are caused by acids produced when bacteria destroy the hard tissue layers of your teeth — the enamel, dentin and cementum layers. That acid is produced as bacteria break apart food particles, sugars and starches that linger and collect on and around your teeth and gums.
How do dental sealants work?
Sealants help to protect teeth from tooth decay by imposing a barrier between the surface of your teeth and the bacteria in your mouth. As part of prevention dentistry in Apollo Beach, dentists will apply liquid sealants to teeth to protect them from bacteria and tooth decay. Sealants are most commonly applied to teeth with lots of pits and grooves, especially your molars. The presence of those grooves and pits make it easy for bacteria to accumulate in those areas, but sealants keep those bacteria from making contact with the teeth. Sealants are applied in a liquid form. Once the sealant dries, it forms a seal over the tooth.
At your regular dental checkups every six months, your dentist or your child’s pediatric dentist near you will examine your sealed teeth to ensure that the sealant is intact. After all, an umbrella with holes in it won’t keep your dry. And a clear coat that has worn off the roof of your car won’t protect your vehicle’s finish. Just how long dental sealants will last depends on a lot of factors, including your dental hygiene habits and whether you clench your jaw and grind your teeth. As a general rule, though, the sealant layer laid onto your or your child’s teeth will last for ten years. If your dentist notices that the sealant has become chipped or worn, the dentist can repair the sealant layer to ensure your teeth are completely protected.
Who are the best candidates for dental sealants?
Patients of all ages can receive and benefit from dental sealants, but they’re especially appropriate for children, teenagers and young adults. A pediatric dentist in Apollo Beach FL will recommend that children receive dental sealants as soon as their first adult molars emerge. Family dentists recommend that teenagers and young adults receive dental sealants if they have experienced several cavities in a short period of time.
Should adults receive dental sealants? That’s a good question for you to ask your dentist. Sealants are not a substitute for proper dental hygiene or receiving fillings for existing cavities, but can complement fillings and dental hygiene to protect your health. Dentists may recommend that adults receive dental sealants if you have significantly grooved or pitted teeth or have a history of a particular vulnerability to tooth decay.
Dental sealants are an especially valuable resource for families looking for prevention dentistry near you — especially for young children. Sealants can quickly and inexpensively protect children from developing tooth decay and cavities and, by doing so, protect your kids from having to undergo stressful and uncomfortable dental procedures — fillings. There’s something in it for the parents, too. An investment in dental sealants can protect their pocketbook, too.
To find out if dental sealants are a good investment and idea for protecting your teeth or the teeth of your children, contact a dentist near you and ask that exact question.