Are Dental Sealants Worth the Risk?
Cavities are holes in your teeth as a result of decay that happens over time. You may not realize you have tooth decay until you experience symptoms such as teeth sensitivity to hot or cold substances. If you are prone to tooth decay, our dentist in Billerica, Ma, may recommend dental sealants.
What Are Sealants?
Dental sealants are a thin coating painted to the grinding surfaces of the teeth. It is mainly done on premolars and molars. The sealant forms a protective coating on the teeth enamel of each tooth.
How Are They Fixed?
At One Dental Care, the process is painless and straightforward. It takes a couple of minutes for our dental team to apply the thin plastic coat on each tooth. We follow the following steps:
- We identify the teeth to be sealed and clean them thoroughly.
- The dentist dries each tooth and puts an absorbent material around the tooth to keep it dry.
- The hygienist puts an acid solution on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. The acid roughness them up and helps sealant to bond on the teeth.
- The teeth are rinsed and dried.
- Finally, the dentist paints the sealant onto the tooth enamel. The sealant bonds directly to the teeth and hardens them. If need be, the dentist can use a particular type of light to harden the sealant.
How Long Do They Last?
The dental sealant is durable, and it can last for up to 10 years. It is important to visit One Dental often for assessment. During the visits, our dental care team will monitor the sealants to ensure they don’t wear away. If the sealants are chipped or fall off, the dentist reapplies them again.
Apart from regular dental care, it would be best if you practiced dental care tips. Ensure you brush and floss twice daily. Additionally, avoid bad dental habits like opening a bottle with your teeth or chewing hard substances.
How long the sealants last will depend on your age, dental habits, and the quality of sealants,
Who Can Use Sealants
Dental sealants are ideal for children and teenagers because of the likelihood of developing decay in the premolars and molars. Oral dental hygiene in children is wanting, and they love sugary foods. Such habits put them at risk of developing cavities.
Children should get dental sealant on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as the permanent teeth erupt. The coating will protect their teeth in cavity prone years.
If need be, our dental team may paint the sealants on baby teeth to keep them healthy since they provide correct spacing for permanent teeth.
Adults can also benefit from sealants since the risk of tooth decay increases with age. That said, everybody can benefit from dental sealants regardless of age. However, if you already have tooth decay or have fillings, you’re not the right candidate.
Are Sealants Effective?
When properly applied, dental sealants are highly effective. As explained above, regular dental checkups and good dental habits increase their effectiveness. Tooth decay is a result of plaque that forms over the enamel over time and erodes it. If your teeth are coated with dental sealants, the tooth enamel is protected from cavities.
Sealants are a usual addition to long term oral dental care. Before we apply the thin coating, we will do an oral exam to confirm no significant dental problem exists. Once we ensure you or your child are eligible for a sealant, we will apply it to the teeth enamel.
After the application, you may feel a bit uncomfortable, but you will get used to the sealants with time. Remember, that sealant is a protectant against tooth decay but not a final solution to tooth decay. Plan regular dental checkups to keep your mouth feeling clean and maintain a healthy smile. Also, brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste.
Schedule an Appointment
At One Dental Care, we advocate for preventive dental care. Don’t wait until you get a cavity. Visit us for dental sealants application or any dental care needs. Contact us today and book an appointment. Our dentist also welcome patients residing in Pinehurst, Nutting Lake, Fox Hills, and Nearby Communities