Of course, brushing and flossing are the best ways to prevent cavities, but cleaning the nooks and crannies of your teeth can be challenging. Leftover food in your mouth can set off a chain reaction that weakens the enamel of your teeth, putting you at risk of dental decay. If your teeth are prone to decay, dental sealants can help you prevent cavities from forming. Experienced dentists of the best dental clinic frequently recommend dental sealants to safeguard your teeth's vulnerable areas. It acts as a barrier to keep out food particles, plaque, and germs that can cause cavities.
What are Dental Sealants?
A dental sealant is a practical approach to prevent tooth decay from occurring inside the tooth, which can save you money on root canals and other major dental surgeries. A dental sealant is a thin, white or clear plastic coating applied directly to your teeth by your dentist.
Molars and premolars are the most common teeth that require sealants because they do most of the chewing. Dental sealants are liquids applied onto the teeth to seal away all the gaps and spaces and then dried using a specific curing light.
Thus it prevents acids and plaque from degrading the enamel of your teeth. Depending on the number of teeth to be sealed, the procedure can last from a few minutes to an hour and is painless. According to the American Dental Association, a dental sealant on permanent molars reduces the incidence of cavities by 80%
When is the time to seal the teeth?
Permanent molars are more vulnerable to tooth decay and benefit the most from dental sealants. Most decay begins in the tiny pits and grooves on the biting surfaces of the rear teeth (molar). The permanent molars appear in most youngsters around the age of six.
Sealing these teeth as soon as they emerge can help keep them cavity-free from the beginning, saving time and money in the long term. Some children's baby teeth develop with recesses. In some circumstances, placing sealants on a younger child may be a good option. Ask your dentist whether sealants are a good option for you and your family.
How are dental sealants put on?
First, the dentist will use an explorer to inspect your back teeth for grooves.
Then the dentist will clean and dry your teeth before using an acidic gel on them. The acidic gel is applied to prepare the surface of your teeth for the sealant. The liquid roughens the surface of the teeth and allows the sealant to bond properly with the teeth.
After that, the dentist will wash the excess gel from the teeth and dry it well.
Finally, the sealant is applied to the enamel of the teeth with a tiny brush. It will then be hardened by your dentist using a unique blue light.
It is recommended that you visit at least every six months. It may vary depending on your present state of health. If you are ready to acquire dental sealants, contact TeethCare Multispeciality Dental Clinic to make an appointment.