Why Get Dental Sealants? Cavities Prevention and 4 More Reasons

But First, What Are Dental Sealants?

A dental sealing consists of a thin and protective coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth and protects them from getting damaged by food particles, plaque, residues, and bacteria.

Your dental health provider will recommend it if you or your child are prone to developing cavities, as they have a high success rate in preventing recurring tooth decay. 

Read more: Tips for Getting Your Child Excited about Oral Health

Top 5 Dental Sealants Benefits

Getting dental sealants can make a great difference in your oral health because they:

1. Prevent Cavities

Sealants work by creating a barrier between your teeth grooves and potential damaging factors like food particles and bacteria. In fact, studies show that sealants protect 80% of cavities in the back teeth for the first 2 years or more.

2.Protect Your Teeth for Longer Periods

Generally speaking, dental sealants can last between 5 and 10 years with adequate care. Chewing and grinding can make them wear down with time, but with regular maintenance and good oral habits they should be fine. 

3. Are a Cost-Effective Option

When it comes to addressing tooth decay, sealants are a cheaper and more comfortable alternative than fillings, crowns, etc. Additionally, they will take care of your teeth and avoid further damage that could result in the need of a tooth extraction or a root canal procedure, for example.

4. Help Preserve Natural Tooth Structure

By protecting your teeth from the early cavities stages, you would be preventing additional treatments that could permanently alter their structure.

5. Protect Problem Areas

Dental sealants are usually located in the teeth at the back of the mouth (molars and premolars). These usually hold more food residue and are a little bit more difficult to brush and floss, which makes them more prone to cavities.

Are Dental Sealants for Me?

While sealants are more common in children and teenagers, the truth is that many patients benefit from using them. Typically, your dental professional will recommend this treatment if you:

• Are prone to cavities
• Wish to further prevent your teeth from decay
• Are getting your permanent molars and premolars
• Have a special condition that makes it difficult to take care of your oral hygiene

In some special cases, dental sealants might be applied to baby teeth that have a particular likelihood to decay.

The Process of Getting Dental Sealants

Most of the time, dental sealants are applied during routine dental visits and it’s a quick, painless procedure. After identifying the tooth that will be intervened, your dentist will carefully clean it and dry it to free the surface from any plaque or residue. Then, they will apply a special gel made from an acidic solution to the chewing surface of your tooth, as this will roughen the surface and allow the sealant to better adhere.

Your provider will apply the sealant material on your tooth so it can fill the grooves and pits of it, and then harden it by using a special curing light. Finally, they will confirm the sealant’s proper adhesion and ask you to check if you can bite comfortably. If needed, they will make adjustments.