At-home dental care is just as important as regular dental exams, for both kids and adults. Frequent check-ups at your dentist help decrease the chances of developing gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental issues. However, despite practicing proper oral care and keeping up with their oral hygiene, some patients, especially kids, are prone to cavities. This can be due to genetics, poor diet, medication, or other variables.
There is a preemptive way to help prevent cavities, outside regular dental visits, cleanings, and proper at-home care. Dental sealants protect teeth from tooth decay by sealing the biting surfaces of teeth off from food and bacteria accumulation.
Many teeth, especially our molars, have depressions and grooves on their surfaces. These depressions gather food particles, bacteria, acids, and eventually plaque that ordinary dental care cannot always remove before tooth decay sets in. A proactive way to prevent this from happening is to coat the teeth with a sealant, thereby eliminating grooves and notches which gather bacteria.
The Procedure
The application of dental sealants is simple and involves no pain or discomfort. During the procedure, a tooth-colored acrylic is applied to the surface of the tooth, coating it. This usually only takes a few minutes for each tooth.
While children are known to be more susceptible to cavities than adults, and usually benefit immediately from dental sealants, dental sealants for adults can be just as effective.
Tooth decay and gum disease (which is typically caused by bacteria buildup and tooth decay) are the most common reasons for tooth loss in adults. No matter the size of a tooth, dental sealants cover problem areas and soften rough patches, changing them into smooth surfaces that are far less likely to gather bacteria.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last
Dental sealants can last for many years, and are tough enough to withstand the force of chewing, dental cleanings, professional whitening, and more. With proper care, it could be quite a while before reapplication is needed.
One of The Best Dentists in Lakeview
If you or your child is prone to cavities, you may be interested in dental sealants. At Family Dental Care, we offer patients of all ages dental sealants to help protect their teeth. Contact us today to set up an appointment with our general and cosmetic dentist in Lakeview.
