One of the greatest ways that you can ensure that your smile is beautiful for years and years to come is by taking care of it with preventative measures. Prevention requires active participation by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and checkups. Yet, there is one more way that you can participate in oral care prevention that requires no effort at all – dental sealants.
Dental sealants are one of the most effective ways of protecting the teeth from cavities and decay, yet they are underused simply because many people do not fully appreciate all that they do. Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are painted onto the molars and premolars in order to “seal out” bacteria and food particles that lead to decay. Many parents choose to have dental sealants applied to their young children’s teeth, yet they often do not realize that this same prevention is available to them as well.
The premolars and molars are the most common teeth affected by decay. The deep grooves, pits, and fissures within these teeth commonly trap bacteria. Brushing these back teeth is often not enough to remove tiny particles trapped within the rough surfaces of these teeth, and floss is not designed to clean these areas. Dental sealants create a barrier on these teeth so that particles do not become trapped.
Dental sealants are painless and quick in application. After the teeth have been thoroughly cleaned, the teeth will be ready for dental sealants. A special coating is painted on the premolars and/or molars, and the coating is hardened with a special curing light so that the coating will immediately bond with the tooth enamel. This coating is a special plastic material that is designed to seep into the deep fissures and grooves of the back teeth in order to create a blockade against harmful matters that enter the mouth through foods and beverages. As long as the dental sealants remain securely in place, the teeth are fully protected from decay – without any added work on your part. This added protection is extremely beneficial for children and adolescents who are learning to care for their teeth and whose mouths are continually developing. However, adults can also benefit greatly from dental sealants in order to protect their permanent teeth which are also susceptible to cavities, damage, and decay. Dental sealants typically last from 2-4 years, and they are checked at each dental visit in order to ensure that they are properly secure. Reapplication is as simple as the first application.
Contact Gold Hill Dentistry to learn more about dental sealants and how you can take advantage of this outstanding dental prevention procedure.