Applied by your dentist, dental sealants are available for both adults and children, and act as a barrier to prevent cavities.
Sealants are a plastic material usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, including premolars and molars. This is the area where decay occurs most often. Sealants are not visible, so no one will even know you have them.
The American Dental Association advises that although thorough brushing and flossing can help remove food particles and plaque from the surfaces of your teeth, brushes cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves of teeth or remove everything.
According to the American Dental Association, the application of sealants is a relatively easy one. Your dentist simply paints the sealant onto the tooth enamel and it bonds to the tooth and hardens. The plastic resin fills in the depressions and grooves of the chewing areas of the back teeth. It protects against plaque and acids.
Sealants are made to handle normal chewing and can last several years before another application is needed. During each dental visit, your dentist will exam your sealants and determine whether they need to be re-applied.
Since, according to the American Dental Association, the likelihood of developing decay begins early in life, so children and teens are prime candidates for sealants. Sealants can even prevent cavities before they start. However, it also advised that even adults can benefit from sealants.
As always recommended, to prevent tooth decay and keep your mouth healthy, you should brush at least twice per day, floss daily, eat a healthy diet and visit your dentist regularly.
Murphy Dentistry | 1605 W. Wilson St #114, Batavia, IL 60510 | 630.879.7642 | murphydentistry.com