What Are Dental Sealants?

Dentist 36830 recommends brushing your teeth twice and flossing at least once daily. However, your soft-bristled toothbrush cannot reach the deep crevices in your teeth and gums. When food debris is left between teeth and gums, they lead to tooth decay, which can cause dental cavities.

Nevertheless, fluoride is an essential mineral that can fortify your enamel and hinder further tooth decay. Although this is the case, fluoride will not be effective on the deep fissures and open pits in your teeth. Luckily, dental sealants are.

This piece will help you understand what dental sealants are, who can get them, and how they work. Keep on reading to find out more.

What Are Dental Sealants?

A dental sealant is a protective coating made of resin plastic or any other dental material on the chewing surface of your back teeth, like the molars. When these thin dental coatings are placed on your teeth’s surface, they seal the fissures on your teeth, preventing tooth cavities.

Dental sealants are viewed as a better option for preventing cavities when compared to the use of fluoride.

So, who can get these thin coverings?

Who Can Get Dental Sealants?

The dentist near you recommends sealants for kids. This is because when dental sealants are applied immediately, the teeth erupt, and it can effectively prevent tooth cavities. Moreover, teeth are prone to cavities even at a young age, and therefore, going for dental sealants in Auburn will ensure future problems with cavities.

However, you can still go for dental sealants even as an adult. It is essential to do so, as adults are at a higher risk of developing cavities due to poor diet, dry mouth syndrome, and other dental problems. Nevertheless, you can benefit more from these sealants at an earlier age. It saves time and money as the sealants will prevent future oral problems.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

As mentioned earlier, cavity-causing bacteria begin to build in the deep parts of your teeth if you don’t go for regular dental checkups. These cavity-causing bacteria start to produce acids that erode your tooth structure and create holes called cavities.

However, if you regularly go for dental treatment in Auburn, the dentist will recommend dental sealants if you do not have a good oral hygiene regimen. The sealants will act as a barrier to prevent food debris from getting into the crevices and prevent the debris from causing cavities. In addition, dental sealants can be applied to hinder further decay in place of a dental filling.

The good thing about dental sealant application is that it is an easy and painless procedure. When you go to the dental office in Auburn, Dr. Mark Summerford will not use anesthesia during the process of application. So, the first step will be thoroughly cleaning the teeth that are to be sealed.

Next, the teeth will be dried and isolated using an absorbent material like cotton. Next, the teeth’ surfaces must be roughened so the dentist will apply a mild etching solution. Roughing your teeth’s surfaces is crucial to ensure the sealant adheres well.

The solution applied is then washed off, and the teeth are dried. Once the dentist has confirmed the teeth are dry, he applies the sealants on the fissures and pits of your tooth.

Depending on the sealants used, you might realize that the sealant hardens on its own, while some need a special UV light to quicken the drying process.

How Long Does Dental Sealants Last?

Once the dentist in Auburn has applied the dental sealants on your teeth, they will provide tips to ensure the adhesives last longer. The good thing about these sealants is that they won’t affect your diet. You can eat and drink anything you please. However, it is essential to keep off hard foods as dental sealants can still get damaged.

It is imperative you go for regular dental checkups after dental sealant application. The checkups will help the dentist examine your sealants and determine whether they need to be replaced or repaired.

Dental sealants can protect against cavities for up to 4 years. Therefore, head to Central Park Dental Care so our dentist can apply these thin coverings and prevent cavities. However, these sealants are not a substitute for proper oral hygiene. However, combining dental sealants with good oral practices can protect your teeth against multiple oral diseases.