What Is the Purpose of Dental Sealants?

What Is the Purpose of Dental Sealants?

June 1, 2022

Dental sealant is a plastic coating placed to prevent decay on the teeth’s chewing surfaces, especially molars and premolars. The sealant attaches itself to the grooves and depressions of the teeth creating a protective layer over every tooth’s enamel.

Even though brushing and flossing clear away plaque and food particles from smooth surfaces of the teeth, it can’t always reach all the crannies and nooks to get rid of the food and plaque. Sealants shield these vulnerable areas from decay by shutting out food and plaque.

How Do Dental Sealants work?

Teeth biting surfaces are likely to experience bacteria colonization and wear and tear; dental sealants near you are an excellent option in protecting you from experiencing either of those.

Bacteria release an acid, and if a damaged tooth enamel exposes the underlying teeth structures, bacteria will eat through the tooth to form a cavity or depression.

A sealant fills the grooves, pits, or irregularities on the tooth’s surface. Our dentist in Pleasant Hill applies the sealant in a liquid form and then uses a curing light to harden the sealant.

They are pretty thin and undetectable to other people.

When applying a sealant, the tooth structure isn’t altered permanently.

The formed plastic barrier can last for years, averting contact between dangerous bacteria and the tooth enamel.

Who Can Get Sealants?

Children and adults are good candidates for dental sealants but getting sealants at an early age is preferable. This is because kids are more likely to develop decay in the groove and depressions of their molars and premolars.

Children should get this dental treatment on their permanent premolars and molars as soon as they erupt. That way, the sealants guard the teeth through the cavity-prone years, between 6 and 14.

In certain cases, dental sealants may be applied to baby teeth. For example, when a baby’s teeth have deep grooves and depressions.

Baby teeth are important in maintaining the correct space for permanent teeth, and it’s important to make sure the teeth remain healthy so they don’t lose them early.

How Can Dental Sealants Improve a Child’s Oral Health?

A child’s new permanent teeth aren’t resistant to decay as your adult teeth are. As you age, the hard enamel that guards the teeth changes and becomes stronger.

It isn’t easy to access fissures and pits during regular brushing. Sealants form a protective coating that protects teeth from decay.

Are you ready for your child to have their first dental sealant experience? Then, schedule an appointment with Grafton Dental. We are continently located on 81 Gregory Ln.

How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?

With proper care, sealants can stay in place for almost ten years, but 5-10 years is normal. Taking care of your sealants can involve maintaining good oral hygiene habits and avoiding biting on hard things. In addition, after every six months, schedule regular dental visits so that the dentist can check to see if the sealants are still in good shape.

Your dentist can repair or replace dental sealants by applying more sealant material when dental sealants wear away.

How Effective Are They?

When placed properly, they are highly effective in keeping the treated tooth surface safe from cavities. Unless the sealant and tooth bond break or wear away, the area is protected.

Teeth sealed previously are not likely to have tooth decay compared to teeth that weren’t sealed.

How Are They Applied?

To get dental sealants in Pleasant Hill, you require one appointment with our dentist.

The dentist begins the procedure by cleaning and drying the teeth. They then apply an acidic gel to the surface of the teeth to roughen it. That helps to create a strong bond between the enamel and the sealant. After applying the acid, the dentist waits for a few seconds before rinsing and drying the teeth.

The dentist then paints the sealant into the grooves of the teeth. In the last step, the dentist shines a special light on the treated dentine to harden the sealant.

In some situations, the dentist can place the sealant in areas with early decay to stop the existing cavities from damaging the teeth further.

Getting sealants is a painless and easy procedure.

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