Dental Sealants Stop Cavities From Attacking Your Smile
Dental sealants are a preventative measure of oral care. A dental sealant is a protective layer that is applied on the surfaces of teeth. This protective layer prevents the build-up of germs, foodstuffs, and plaque from the crevices of the tooth’s surface. By doing so, dental sealants are an effective way to prevent your teeth from developing cavities.
Getting dental sealants done on your teeth is an easy and pain-free process that can be completed in minutes. The dentists thoroughly cleans your teeth, then dries them and prepares them for the application of sealant. Once the teeth are ready, the dentist will paint the sealant directly onto the enamel surface of the tooth.
Most commonly, dentists recommend applying sealant to your molars and premolars in the back of your mouth. This is because these teeth are the hardest to reach when it comes to brushing and flossing. Brushing and flossing are effective measures to prevent cavities, but most people have difficulty cleaning the rear teeth. This leads to the build-up of plaque and germs.
Dental sealants are recommended for children and teenagers. The most common problem that children experience when it comes to oral health are cavities. That is why a preventative measure like this is so effective at maintaining good oral health in children and teens. Children are eligible to get sealants as soon as their teeth develop, and sometimes even earlier.
There is good reason to protect teeth with a sealant early on. Once a tooth develops a cavity, many problems can occur that lead to more complicated and invasive treatments. Cavities are painful and can lead to infections developing in the mouth. Furthermore, once a tooth develops a cavity and requires a filling, you can longer apply sealant to it.
Adults who do not yet have fillings, implants, or other types of restorative work done on their teeth should consider dental sealants as well. Adults become more at-risk of cavities over time due to exposure. Dental sealants can protect and save decaying teeth and make-up for the loss of the natural protective quality of teeth.