Dental Sealants 101: All You Need to Know Before Getting Them

Although the teeth are durable, they can wear out at times and develop cavities. Dental decay is prevalent in children for various reasons, chief among them poor dental hygiene. Teaching your children how to brush and clean their teeth can help mitigate the problem. But at times, that is not enough, and you need other preventive measures such as dental sealants.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Teeth sealants are plastic coatings applied on the teeth’ pits and fissures to shield them from bacteria and cavities. Although the dentist can apply dental sealants on any tooth type, the coating is mostly applied on the back teeth—premolars and molars because they tend to trap particles of food.

Who Needs Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are primarily used on children because they are more at risk of developing dental cavities than adults. However, that does not disqualify adults from using them. Adults with healthy teeth free of decay and fillings can benefit too.

How Are They Applied?

The application of dental sealants in Richmond, TX, is a simple process done in one dental visit. Plus, the sealing process is fast–taking about 30 minutes to complete.

• After the dental examination and cleaning, the dentist will dry up the teeth to be sealed using a cotton material.
• Next, the teeth will be separated with a sheet to keep them dry during the application process. Any saliva contamination will result in weak sealants.
• An acid solution is applied to the teeth’ pits and fissures (chewing surface) to roughen them up. This will help the coating to bond to the teeth. The teeth will be rinsed and dried up.
• The plastic coating is then be painted on the enamel. The sealant hardens immediately, but sometimes the dentist may use a special light to hasten the process.

Can I Get Sealants If I Have Dental Fillings?

Dental sealants in Sugarland, TX, are applied on healthy teeth without decay or dental fillings. They work to protect the teeth from cavities. Also, during the sealant application, the teeth do not need any preparation.

On the other hand, dental fillings are used to restore the strength of a weakened tooth because of decay. During the application process, the dentist will first remove the decayed canal and fill it with a filling.

If you have a dental filling, there is no point in getting sealants. But you can get the rest of your healthy teeth sealed to protect them against cavities.

Can Sealants Damage the Teeth?

No. Sealants are applied to protect the teeth from cavities. However, you still need to maintain proper hygiene to keep your other teeth and gums healthy.

How Effective Are the Dental Sealants?

Both the CDC (Central for Disease Control) and the American Dental Association recommend dental sealants for school-going children. The organizations report that dental sealants can prevent 80 percent of cavities within the first year they are applied. Furthermore, children who do not have the sealants are twice more likely to develop cavities than those who do.

Are Sealants Safe?

There is a concern among parents about the BPA (Bisphenol) levels in the sealants. BPA is reported to affect the nervous, immune, and thyroid function. However, though the sealants are made from plastic, the BPA level is negligible and cannot cause any harm, according to the CDC.

If you are still concerned about the resin sealants, you can choose the glass ionomer sealants. But, take note—they are less effective than the plastic ones.

How Long do The Sealants Last?

The dental sealants are durable and can last for ten years. However, you should make a point of visiting the dentist regularly to have them examined for any cracks. Remember, the sealants can crack or chip and give room for bacteria to sneak in and multiply.

Take Away

Dental sealants in 77469 are effective, but only if used with other preventive measures such as dental cleanings and fluoride treatments. Visit the Silverstone Dental clinic for more information on other preventive dental practices that you can incorporate into your dental routine.