Important Things You Should Know About Dental Sealants

Jun 09, 2021

Clearwater dental associates take time to educate patients and advocate for preventive dentistry. Dental care should not only matter when you have an urgent dental problem that needs treatment by an emergency dentist in Clearwater. Unfortunately, that is the time when many patients consider dentists as useful in their oral health. This, however, does not negate the existence of many dental health care services that can cater to oral health proactively.

Dental sealants, for instance, are considered very important oral solutions for protecting teeth against bacteria that cause infections. If you have never tried them, perhaps all you need is to reach out to a dentist near you for more information about how they work and why you need them.

What Are Dental Sealants?

They are thin plastic-like materials applied in teeth to act as barriers against bacteria that cause dental infections. Sealants are painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth, to form a coating that dries and hardens thereof. In essence, they are types of dental fillings. However, instead of being used to repair and restore damaged teeth, oral sealants are used to ensure that teeth don’t get damaged in the first place.

If you diligently use dental sealants on your teeth, you may never get to deal with dental problems like dental caries or tooth decay. Still, there is more you must learn about dental sealants and how they work to protect teeth.

Facts about Dental Sealants

The fact that sealants protect your teeth against dental cavies should not be the only information you have about what they are and how they work. Some invaluable facts about dental sealants are:

1. They do not last forever – you can only benefit from your first round of dental sealants for between 5 and 8 years. After that, you must visit a dental office in Clearwater to replace the sealants.

2. They don’t treat dental cavities – many people misunderstand the role of sealants in dental health. They are used to protect your teeth from bacteria that cause dental cavities. However, if you already have cavities, your dentist in Clearwater, FL must perform a different procedure to treat your teeth because sealants cannot do the job.

3. Sealants cannot be used on unnatural teeth – if you have had your teeth replaced with dental bridges, dentures, or dental implants, sealants are not ideal for you. Dentists only apply sealants on natural teeth as they need protection from bacteria that cause infections.

4. Sealants are only for the back teeth – even though dental cavities can attack any of your teeth, dental sealants can only be used on the back teeth. This features the molars and premolars. The reason is that dental sealants fill up the pits and fissures of the chewing surfaces of teeth, which are only present on the back teeth.

5. They release fluoride on your teeth gradually – one of the factors that make dental sealants highly effective in fighting against dental cavities is the release of Fluoride. Once they are applied to your teeth, sealants slowly release fluoride on your teeth. Fluoride is an element that is great for strengthening teeth and fighting against bacteria. In this sense, dental sealants have a bonus advantage when it comes to fighting dental cavities.

Are Dental Sealants Useful for Adults?

In many cases, oral sealants are used in Pediatric dentistry to protect children’s teeth against cavities. Usually, kids are very prone to tooth cavities between the ages of 6 and 14. At this age, dental sealants are very impactful in the health of your child’s teeth. However, sealants are not just limited to Pediatric dentistry.

In family dentistry near you, a dentist can apply sealants for mature adult teeth to protect them from dental cavities. In dentistry, no one ever outgrows the risk of getting dental cavities. Therefore, if you managed to keep your teeth cavity-free throughout your childhood and teenage years, you are still susceptible to cavities as an adult. This is why dental sealants can also be used for adult teeth, only if you are a good candidate for them.

Dental sealants for adults only work if the teeth in question are healthy and natural, as mentioned earlier. If used properly, you may lead your entire life without needing treatment to treat dental decay.

Call Now Book Now

© 2024 Dental Arts Clearwater | Privacy Policy | Web Design, Digital Marketing & SEO By Adit

No Credit Check Payment Plan