Even an individual with a fastidious dental hygiene routine can be at risk for cavities and prone to dental caries. But there is another way to help keep the teeth clean – it’s called a sealant.
Even thorough brushing and flossing may not reach all the way into the depressions and grooves of the teeth to extract all food and plaque. Sealants help remove food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of the teeth and add extra protection for the grooved and pitted areas.
What are Sealants?
These are thin, protective coating made from plastic or other dental materials that adhere to the chewing surface of your back teeth.They have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars which are especially important for the children’s dental health.
How Do Sealants Work?
They are considered as raincoats of your teeth and is usually placed on the chewing surfaces as these are the areas where you have deep fissures. Sealing these teeth as soon as they come through can keep them cavity-free from the start and saves you time and money.
A quick and painless process performed by your dentist, sealants will clean and dry your mouth before putting on an acidic gel on your teeth and roughs up the tooth surface. It is bright, white and has a slight tint depending on the dental sealant used. It can protect teeth from decay up to 10 years! However, you need to have your dentist check it for chipping or wearing during regular dental check-ups.
How are Sealants Placed?
The dentist will first polish the surface of the tooth or teeth and remove plaque and debris. Then the dentist will apply the dental sealant material to the tooth surface using a brush. The self-curing light will be executed for about 30 seconds to bond the sealant to the tooth surface. And finally, the dentist will evaluate if the sealant is hardened so you can chew using your tooth or teeth again.
Sealants may be the excellent solution to reduce cavities and keep a healthy smile. If you think dental sealants are the right choice for you or your child, ask or call your dentist in Newport Beach Ca like Frank Anthony Rich, DDS, for an appointment.