Understanding Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are essential for controlling diseases. They add a layer of protection on your teeth to guard against cavities. They help especially with back teeth, like molars and premolars. The grooves and pits in these teeth can catch food particles. Cleaning these areas with regular brushing and flossing can be challenging. This puts them at more risk for dental caries.
Dental sealants provide a barrier for your tooth enamel. They keep harmful bacteria away, so acids from bacteria do not erode the enamel. This protective layer helps keep your teeth strong. It also lowers the chance of needing more dental fillings or larger dental work in the future.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are thin layers placed on the tooth surface to help stop dental caries. This protective shield is made from a safe resin that sticks to the enamel of your teeth. You can think of it as a raincoat for your teeth, keeping them safe from decay.
The sealant material fills in the deep grooves and fissures on the chewing surfaces of your teeth. It creates a smooth surface that is easier to clean. This smooth area stops food particles and bacteria from getting trapped and causing damage. This protective barrier is especially important for children and teenagers, as their teeth are still developing.
How Do Dental Sealants Work?
Our mouths have many types of bacteria. Some of these can be bad for our teeth. When we eat sugary foods and drinks, bacteria use the sugar and make acids. Over time, these acids can eat away at tooth enamel, causing tooth decay, which we call cavities.
By stopping food particles and bacteria from building up, sealants make it harder for acids to form. This helps protect teeth from the harm caused by acid erosion and lowers the chance of forming cavities.
The Benefits of Dental Sealants
Besides stopping cavities, dental sealants help keep your teeth healthy for a long time. They help maintain the natural shape of your teeth and may lower the chances of needing dental work later on.
Preventing Tooth Decay in Children and Adults
Dental sealants benefit children because their baby teeth can get cavities more easily. Putting sealants on baby teeth helps protect them until they fall out naturally and are switched with permanent teeth.
When the permanent molars come in, usually around six years old, dentists suggest getting sealants right away. This is important because these teeth have deep grooves, which makes them more likely to get cavities. Children and teenagers have a higher risk of cavities, too, because of their diets and not always having great oral hygiene.
Adults can also gain from dental sealants, especially if they have a high risk of cavities. Some things that can increase the risk of cavities in adults include dry mouth, certain health issues, and family history. Sealants add an extra layer of protection for adults, even those who care for their teeth well.
Application Process and Safety
Getting dental sealants is an easy and pain-free process. You can get it done during a regular dental visit. This procedure is simple because it does not involve any drilling or removing part of the tooth.
The Step-by-Step Procedure
The first step in getting a dental sealant is to clean the teeth really well. This takes away any plaque and food particles. Next, the teeth are dried and kept separate to get them ready for the sealant material. After that, the sealant is put on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, the molars and premolars in particular. This creates a protective shield over the vulnerable areas. Finally, a special light is used to make the sealant hard so it will last a long time. This quick and painless process helps a lot in lowering the risk of dental caries.
Addressing Safety Concerns and Myths
Many people still believe in myths about dental sealants, even though there’s a lot of proof that they are safe and effective. One worry is about bisphenol A (BPA), which is in some sealant materials. However, the amount of BPA found in dental sealants is very low. Official organizations, like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, say it is safe.
Another common myth is that sealants can trap bacteria, making things worse. This is not true. When applied correctly, sealants form a strong barrier that stops bacteria from causing decay. Your dentist or hygienist will clean and dry your teeth well before putting on sealants to make sure no bacteria gets trapped.
To be safe, it’s essential to have a qualified and skilled dental professional apply your sealants. This way, they will be put on the right way. Also, remember that sealants are meant to prevent issues, not replace good oral care habits. You still need to brush regularly, floss, and see your dentist for checkups to keep your teeth healthy.
Schedule an Appointment
If you think you could benefit from dental sealants, it’s easy to get started. Simply schedule an appointment with Holmes Dental and discuss sealants with one of our specialists to determine if they’re right for you.
