How Can Dental Sealants Fight Dental Cavities? 

If you have been intentional about preventive dental care for you and your child, then it is not the first time you are hearing about dental sealants in Heath and how essential they are in sustaining excellent dental health. It is no surprise that dentists near you will recommend dental sealants every time you visit a dental clinic for routine dental exams or cleanings.

What Are Dental Sealants?

They are unique types of dental fillings that primarily fill the chewing surfaces of teeth. Tooth sealants typically feature plastic-like coatings that are painted on the surfaces of teeth to seal them. The sealing is done to create a barrier that will disallow harmful bacteria from damaging the enamel of teeth and eventually the other layers underneath. Many of the procedures that entail dental sealants near you are done for children, especially during their cavity-prone years, between 6 and 14 years. The effectiveness of dental sealants in fighting dental cavities, however, goes beyond dental care for children, by providing similar benefits to adults too.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

The first order of business when you visit a dental clinic near you is to examine the health of your oral cavity. A dentist near you will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to identify any signs of infections and the presence of harmful bacteria. Afterward, the dentist in 75032 may even recommend a professional deep cleaning session to rid your mouth of any active harmful bacteria.

To get dental sealants, you must not have dental cavities. Ideally, sealants do not treat dental cavities or tooth decay. Their or l role is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. The sealant material is painted over the chewing surfaces of your teeth. It is common for back teeth, which have deep pits and fissures that can easily trap bacteria.

Once the sealant material is applied to your teeth and dries up, it becomes tamper-proof, particularly against plaque and tartar that cause dental decay. For the next 5 years or so, your chances of getting dental cavities are significantly narrowed. Besides, sealants have a unique mechanism that allows them to release fluoride on teeth. Fluoride is a natural mineral helpful in sustaining strong teeth and also helps fight dental cavities. Dental sealants, therefore, have a double mechanism that fights dental cavities for the sustenance of strong, healthy teeth.

What You Should Know About Getting Dental Sealants

Although sealants are tremendous at protecting your teeth from dental cavities, the following facts are crucial for you to know about what to expect once you get them:

• They are not a substitute for proper oral hygiene – taking care of the cleanliness of your mouth does not cease to become your responsibility just because you got dental sealants. Besides, dental cavities can form on other parts of your teeth other than the chewing surface.
• They are suited for back teeth – molars and premolars are the only types of teeth in the human mouth that have fissures deep enough to trap plaque and tartar easily. Therefore, it is unlikely that you get dental sealants for your front teeth, which is even more reason for you to keep up with excellent oral hygiene.
• They are not permanent – after a few years, you need to replace your dental sealants. They wear down over time, which means the protective layer over your teeth gets compromised as you go. It is why you must keep up with routine dental visits that allow your dentist to examine the state of your tooth sealants over time.

When Should You Get Tooth Sealants?

Preventive dental care measures should be employed as soon as you determine to intentionally care for your oral cavity. With dental sealants, you do not have to wait until there is a significant risk of getting dental cavities before you get them. Generally, many people’s teeth are subject to dental cavities as they grow older. Keeping your mouth clean without the regular intervention of a dentist may not be enough to fight dental cavities. As such, getting oral sealants is just an extra measure you consider as a way to take charge of your oral health.