What Are Dental Sealants?

One example of a dental sealant cary nc is wearing a rain coat in bad weather. The rain coat is designed to keep your dry. Another example is putting a coat of wax on a vehicle protecting the paint. Or applying varnish on a nice piece of furniture to protect the stained wood finish. A dental sealant is all of that. When it is applied it can protect the enamel surface of the tooth for several years from getting unwanted cavities. Let’s look at why you would consider getting a dental sealant, the simple process, and the benefits for any age but primarily children.

Why Consider a Dental Sealant?

There are millions of bacteria in our mouths every day and at every hour. These bacteria when allowed to sit on your teeth for a period of time will form a sticky substance called plaque. This plaque will immediately begin releasing acids that will attack the enamel of your teeth resulting in a cavity. This is why the health industry strongly suggests that you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time to remove that damaging plaque. You are asked to floss as well between your teeth trying to reach areas that the brush can’t. As well as you brush and floss there will always be a surface or two you simply can’t reach. Often times this is your molars in the back of your mouth.

How Does the Dental Sealant work?

The dental sealant procedure is very simple. The teeth must be cleaned first then an acid like gel will be brushed on. After being rinsed off and the teeth dried the plastic like sealant is carefully brushed on the teeth. After it is hardened and dried with a blue ultraviolet light the sealant has flowed into tiny cracks, crevasses pits and holes that are susceptible to forming cavities.

Can Dental Sealants Benefit All Ages?

Dental sealants are most often applied with children. They simply don’t have the proper oral hygiene habits in methodically brushing and removing the damaging plaque day in and day out. It has been proven that children between the ages of 6 to 14 without dental sealants have a three times better chance of getting a cavity then those that have had it applied. The protective coating prohibits the development of decay in the depression, fissures and grooves of the premolars and molars that the children can’t reach with their brushing. The hard-plastic coating can then last for around 10 years.

Can dental sealants work for adults as well? Of course. A terrific preventive measure to help maintain the health and condition of your teeth. The sealant works well on any surface but is most successful on the chewing surface. It is not a substitute for your proper oral hygiene. In addition to your at-home efforts of keeping your teeth clean you should always schedule at least two dental examinations a year to monitor the condition of your teeth and gums. A consultation might be advised to inquire about the possibility of having a dental sealant applied to your teeth. Healthy teeth, healthy smile.

More information on Dental Sealants : Dental Sealants for Adults