Prevent Cavities in Children & Adults
Is there a way for you to prevent cavities from destroying your teeth? Besides brushing and flossing, you can protect your teeth from cavities and decay with dental sealants! If you try to look at your back teeth using a mirror, you’ll see that the occlusal surface has fissures and grooves giving plaque and bacteria more places to hide. When plaque accumulates on your teeth, it will gradually destroy the integrity of your enamel by forming cavities. This can be avoided with the help of dental sealants.
What Are Dental Sealants?
A dental sealant is a plastic coating that your dentist will paint over the surface of your teeth, usually on your back teeth (premolars and molars) to protect them against tooth decay. Once the sealant is applied, it will instantly adhere to the grooves of your tooth forming a protective layer over your enamel.
Brushing and flossing are only effective in removing food particles and bacteria on smooth surfaces, but they can’t thoroughly remove debris in the nooks and crannies in your back teeth. Therefore, you need sealants to stop plaque from wreaking havoc in your mouth.
How Is A Dental Sealant Applied?
The application of a dental sealant is pretty straightforward. It only takes a couple of minutes for your dentist to apply the protective covering on each tooth. It’s a quick and painless procedure that can be summed up in 5 steps:
- The tooth must be thoroughly cleaned before the sealant is applied.
- It must also be dry. Usually, cotton is placed around the tooth to ensure that saliva doesn’t get to it.
- An acid solution is placed on the tooth to roughen it. This is important so the sealant can successfully stick to the tooth.
- The tooth is rinsed and then dried.
- The dental sealant is applied until it hardens.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
Studies show that dental sealants can last up approximately 9 to 10 years after they have been applied. However, you still need to show up during your annual dental visits so your dentist can check the condition of your sealants. If they are worn or have chipped away, your dentist can easily replace them.
Are You Interested in Getting Dental Sealants?
Are you thinking about getting dental sealants in Boca Raton for your back teeth? If yes, we encourage you to give us a call! At Lifeway Dental of Boca, we are devoted to providing you with comprehensive and superior quality dental care. Our years of experience in the industry have given us the confidence and expertise in handling any dental case including the application of dental sealants. If you have questions about our services, feel free to contact us. We’d love to hear from you.