Dental Sealants Prevent Tooth Decay
What is a phrase we all hope to never hear at the dentist? "You have a cavity" is definitely one of them. So how can you prevent tooth decay? There are a variety of ways including diet and oral hygiene. Did you know that dental sealants prevent tooth decay? Find out more from Escondido Dental right here!
What are Sealants and What do They Do?
According to WebMD, “A Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth (usually the back teeth) – to prevent tooth decay.” On the chewing surface of our molars, there are deep pits and fissures that can be hard to keep clean. As bacteria builds, tooth decay follows! The sealant covers these pits and fissures so bacteria cannot get in.
How Are Sealants Applied?
The process is very quick and is usually done by an assistant to the dentist.
Each tooth that will be treated, is cleaned and dried thoroughly.
An acid solution called Etchant is applied to the tooth’s surface and then washed away. The purpose of this step is to roughen the tooth’s surface in order for the sealant material to properly bond to the tooth.
The teeth must be thoroughly dried again. Cotton materials will also usually be placed around the teeth to keep them dry.
The sealant is then painted on.
Finally a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden.
Should I Get Them?
We know children have a history of being more cavity prone. In light of this, kids are usually the ones a dentist will recommend to get sealants. They can have this treatment as soon as the first molars fully erupt. On the other hand, adults are also great candidates. Do you need sealants? Schedule your next appointment and ask us if you should get dental sealants.(760) 233-2260