A dental sealant is a protective coating covering your teeth to prevent them from decaying. When you eat, food particles and bacteria may settle into the pockets of your mouth. Regular flossing and brushing may remove these particles that create plage build-up and cause cavities. However, the bacteria might sometimes produce acids that form holes in your teeth called cavities.
Dental sealants act as defensive layers between your teeth and harmful acids. They can last for a decade, making them an excellent preventive measure for your child's oral health.
Dental sealants are a gray way to add a protective barrier between the surfaces of your teeth and harmful decay-causing bacteria. The biting surfaces of your molars have tiny grooves, which makes them susceptible to decay as bacteria can conveniently accumulate.
Here are some of the benefits of dental sealants:
Dental sealants help protect the teeth from cavities by covering the top of your molars with a tooth-colored coating. This additional layer makes it difficult for bacteria to remain on the surface of your teeth.
Applying dental sealants does not involve any alterations to your tooth. To apply the dental sealants, your dentist must thoroughly clean your teeth to remove any hidden plaque or food particles. Once they are cleaned, the teeth are dried, and a small amount of gel is placed on the top of your teeth to help with the bonding process.
Your teeth are then rinsed and dried once again. The dental sealant is then placed on the chewing surface of your tooth. During the sealant application process, all the crevices and pits ate filled in, and the tooth was cured to make the sealant permanent. If properly cared for, dental sealants can last between 5-and 10 years.
Molars have deeper depressions and grooves on their surfaces, making them more difficult to clean. No matter how you brush your teeth, the tooth bristles will not reach all the groves and are located on the chewing surfaces of your tooth.
Most unreachable spots accumulate plaque and food particles. It is also easier for food debris and bacteria to build up in these deep areas. Eventually, this will lead to your molars experiencing a degree of decay. Dental sealants thus, prevent decay from developing in these vulnerable areas of your molar teeth.
The application process of a sealant to the teeth at Peak Dental - Pflugerville is a simple one. Your teeth are cleaned and prepared before the sealant is applied. They are prepared using a mild solution that has a similar strength to vinegar or lemon juice. This helps in roughening up the surface of each tooth to help the sealant material bond properly to your tooth
Once your teeth are ready, the sealant is applied to your tooth. The sealant flows into the grooves and depressions of your tooth and fills them. It is then allowed to harden for 1-2minutes, at which your tooth will be sealed and thus protected from bacteria that may collect in the grooves and pits.
While you are a child, applying sealants protects your teeth throughout the most cavity-prone years as sealants can last for long with proper oral health care. Dental sealants will last longer if you avoid biting hard objects or maintain good oral hygiene. Visit your dentist near you if you need dental sealants.
Dental sealants are much more cost-effective as compared to other dental restorations. Most dental insurance companies include dental sealants in the list of the treatments they will cover under most of their general policies. This helps prevent the need for expensive and painful cavities
Yes, everyone can get dental sealants. Children and adults can benefit from sealants, though the earlier they get them, the better. First molars appear around age six, and the second molars start to appear when you are around 12 years.
Sealing your molars as soon as they come through is important in keeping your teeth from cavities. This helps to save your money and time in the long run. You can ask your dentist in Pflugerville, TX, if dental sealants are suitable for you and your family.
