Should I get dental sealants?
Updated: Nov 27, 2022
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are thin coatings used to protect your teeth. Sealants are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to create a barrier that will shield your teeth from the bacteria causing illness. The primary function of tooth sealants is to protect teeth from cavities, especially for younger cavity-prone patients.
How Are Sealants Applied?
The application process is simple and quick. It includes the following steps:
Dental cleaning – Teeth will be cleaned to remove any food debris and any bacteria. This way, bacteria will not be sealed in your teeth.
Drying of the teeth with a cotton swab.
Preparing the teeth surfaces – This improves the application process, fostering adherence of the sealant material to teeth.
Application of sealant material – It is painted over the prepared teeth and allowed to bond with the enamel until it hardens.
Should I Get Sealants?
Teeth sealants are common in pediatric dentistry, where dentists for children put forth measures to help protect the teeth of young ones from getting cavities. The sealants are mostly recommended during the cavity-prone years of kids, which is usually between 6 and 14 years old. Within that period, children have a high preference for sugary foods as well as processed foods, which increases their risks of getting cavities.
However, teeth sealants are not for children only. Adults too can get sealants if they need them. All you need is to talk to your dentist about your desire to protect your teeth from cavities, especially if you think you are prone to getting cavities. Besides, the idea is to apply the coating over permanent teeth, to improve their longevity without cavities.
Benefits of Tooth Sealants
If you need reasons to convince you of the importance of trying oral sealants for your teeth, consider the following benefits:
Protects teeth from cavities – If you go to a dentist before your teeth get cavities, then you may get away with never getting them in your life. This should mean a lot, given that most people lose their teeth to dental cavities.
Protects the structure of your teeth – Once a cavity breaches the top layer of your teeth, it begins to compromise its structure. An oral sealant placed over your teeth secures the enamel of your teeth, protecting it from damage that can sabotage the entire structure of your teeth.
Fights plaque and infections – Sealants at Crown Isle Dental are packed with fluoride. The fluoride is released on teeth gradually, adding an extra layer of protection over your teeth to help fight bacteria causing infection, and prevent the build-up of plaque on your teeth.
Makes oral hygiene better manageable – One of the reasons why molars and premolars get cavities is because they are hard to clean. The depressions and pits on the chewing surfaces can be hard to reach with a regular toothbrush. However, once oral sealants are applied, they make it easier to clean those surfaces and maintain proper oral hygiene.
They begin working immediately – As soon as the sealant material is applied to your teeth, it immediately starts to protect your teeth.
Durability – While they are not meant to last forever, oral sealants can serve you for up to 5 years without needing reapplication. The sealants will serve you much better and longer if you take care of them as advised by your dentist.
Painless procedure – Since you have no cavities, you will not have any pain or discomfort during your treatment.
Schedule a visit today to learn more about Dental Sealants!