Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day is an excellent way to keep your teeth healthy. You can safeguard your teeth against tooth decay and other dental issues by simply maintaining good oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing, on the other hand, may not be as effective on tough-to-reach areas such as your molars.
Molars are the flat teeth at the rear of the mouth that are used to crush and grind food. They’re tough to clean since they’re at the back, making it difficult to brush and floss them correctly. Dental sealants are safe, effective, easy to install, and can help prevent tooth decay for the whole family.
What is a dental sealant?
A sealant is a thin, protective covering (made from plastic or other dental materials) that adheres to your tooth’s chewing surface. They’re not a substitute for brushing and flossing, but they may help prevent cavities from developing.
The American Dental Association claims that sealants can help avoid decay by about 80% in molars. This is especially significant when it comes to your child’s dental health. The Centers for Disease Control revealed a study on the significance of sealants in schools, which claims that around 43% of kids 6 to 11 years old have them.
Who can get sealants?
Sealants are a great way to protect your pearly whites. Children and adults can benefit from sealants, but the earlier you start them, the better. Your first molars will appear between the ages of six and twelve, while your second teeth will emerge between the ages of twelve and eighteen. These teeth should be sealed as soon as they emerge, preventing them from decaying at once.
How does it work?
Dental sealants are made from a bio-compatible resin that is used to seal off your teeth. Sealants, in essence, function as a raincoat for your teeth. Cavity-causing germs may live in your mouth and cause acid to form when they come into contact with residual food particles. When you apply sealant, harmful bacteria and food particles will not be able to settle in your teeth as easily, lowering your risk of developing cavities that can lead to further damage. Do you remember how useful a raincoat is during a storm and how it keeps you clean and dry? Sealants also work in the same manner for your teeth.
Dental sealants help in avoiding tooth decay
No matter what age a person is, dental sealants can assist in preventing and fending off tooth decay. By having the dental sealant applied, these teeth are far less likely in having cavities form, and thus tooth decay begins before having a bi-annual check-up and cleaning.
These sealants are the best way to help in avoiding and adding a preventative measure to a person’s teeth. By having these applied, they leave bacteria with no place to grow and further reduce any chance of a person experiencing tooth decay.
The best tooth decay prevention option
Currently, dental sealants are the best choice for preventing tooth decay. Because of the way they are applied, which we will cover below, it is the best way someone can choose to prevent tooth decay on the harder-to-reach teeth in the back of the mouth.
The molars are where most people form cavities. However, when dental sealants are applied it is almost impossible for this to happen, especially with twice per year dental check-ups and teeth cleanings.
Dental Sealant Procedure
It’s really simple and painless to apply the sealant. It only takes a few minutes for your dentist or hygienist to apply the sealant to each tooth. The following are the stages of the application: First, the teeth to be capped are cleaned thoroughly.
A solution of acid is used to roughen the chewing surfaces of teeth, allowing the sealant to stick better. The teeth are then washed and dried. The tooth enamel is then coated with sealant, which adheres directly to the teeth and hardens.
More things to consider about dental sealants
Dental sealants are a highly effective and safe approach to preventing tooth decay. Dental sealants will help both adults and children. In a nutshell, clear sealants can be used over little cavities to forestall a big spread of decay. However, it is critical to treat any pre-existing decay (or take actions to reverse it, depending on the severity of the damage) before putting on a dental sealant.
Schedule your dental sealant consultation today!
If you’re interested in dental sealants for yourself or your child, schedule a consultation with our dental office today. We will be happy to discuss your options and help you make the best decision for your dental health!
Give us a call today at (915) 213-5480, or schedule your next dental visit in El Paso, TX by clicking on the button below!