How You Can Use Dental Sealants to Prevent Tooth Decay

Dental sealants are thin clear plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent tooth decay. However, molars and premolars are not easily well cleaned, and food particles hide in their grooves and depressions—plaque forms in these areas leading to tooth decay and cavities.

The dentist near you will paint sealants on these teeth to form a protective shield over their enamels to combat this problem. As a result, food particles and plaque are prevented from getting into the grooves and depressions, preventing decay and caries.

The procedure is quick and straightforward and requires only a single visit to the dentist 90505. When you go for dental sealants near you, your teeth will be first thoroughly cleaned to remove any plaque, bacteria, or food particles.

An acidic gel is then applied to the tooth to open up tiny pores on the teeth, which helps the sealants to bond to your tooth. Next, either glass ionomers or composite resin materials in liquid form are applied to your teeth then cured to dry. Teeth may require additional dental work before sealant treatment, such as decay treatment.

Who Should Get Dental Sealants?

Our dentist in Torrance recommends this preventive dentistry procedure not only for children and teenagers but also for adults. Sealants are commonly used on children’s and teenager’s teeth. Between ages 6 -14, their teeth are three times more prone to cavities.

The first permanent molar appears when a child is about six and the second one at about age twelve. The permanent teeth are treated with sealants since, at this age, the child cannot properly clean their back teeth. They also consume plenty of sugary foods and drinks which contain acids that corrode the enamel and expose the tooth to decay.

Babies with deep grooves and pits in their teeth that are hard to clean may require dental sealants to keep their teeth decay-free. If the primary teeth are lost before the permanent ones are ready to come out, the new teeth are affected. It is therefore important to protect baby teeth from decay and cavities.

Adults without fillings and who have deeper grooves in their teeth can benefit from sealants. If you notice early signs of decay, you can ask the dentist near you to use sealants to prevent further damage to your teeth.

The dentist can closely monitor the teeth during regular dental exams since the sealants are clear. This preventive maintenance method is also suitable for adults with health conditions that affect their hands, such as arthritis. These patients may not properly clean their molars and premolars, leading to the accumulation of food particles and plaque. Moreover, sealants can protect their teeth from decay and other invasive dental procedures required after the teeth are decayed.

Dental Sealants Pros and Cons

Dental sealants have both positive and negative effects, but the positive ones far outweigh the negative ones. The dentist in Torrance will discuss the advantages and disadvantages with you in detail before the procedure.

Pros of Dental Sealants

1. It is an easy and pain-free procedure.
2. The procedure takes a few minutes per tooth.
3. They are effective in helping to prevent cavities in the hard-to-reach areas of the teeth.
4. Durability – With good oral hygiene, dental sealants can give you up to ten cavity-free years.
5. They are hardly noticeable.
6. Dental sealants save you money by protecting your teeth from future costly dental procedures that may be required when teeth decay sets in.
7. Exposure to decay in adults increases with age as saliva and teeth’s biochemistry change. Dental sealants help combat decay in adult teeth.
8. They make your brushing routine easier as you do not have to try to remove food particles in the pits and grooves of the molars and premolars.
9. You are assured of a cleaner, healthier and whiter smile after having dental sealants since the treated teeth are protected from decaying and staining.

Cons of Dental Sealants

1. Teeth with fillings or extensive decay cannot be protected using this dental treatment.
2. Sealants need to be replaced every few years

Schedule an appointment with us at Sparkle Family Dentistry for exceptional preventive care. Our dental office also provides emergency dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry and pediatric dentist Torrance, CA.