How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
A common dental sealant, applied properly and with good daily oral hygiene habits at home, can easily last about 10 years. Dental sealants, if the particular situation would benefit, can easily be worth the investment. Let us run through several common reasons for considering the application of a dental sealant, the extremely simple procedure itself, and the benefits you can enjoy when having the sealant.
The Reason Behind Having Dental Sealants
Every single hour of every single day, you have millions of bacteria in your mouth. It is a fact. Bacteria are essential in food digestion. Yet you need to keep the number of bacteria in check. Bacteria will start to create a clear, sticky substance called plaque, which adheres to the teeth. This is why the health industry strongly recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss daily. These simple oral hygiene habits remove the extra-damaging plaque from the surface of the teeth. If you allow the plaque to remain on your teeth, the acid in the plaque immediately attacks the enamel, which will result in a cavity. Dental sealants can be an additional step in your preventative process by not allowing the plaque to attack the enamel, keeping you cavity-free.
The Dental Sealant Procedure
Having a dental sealant applied to your teeth is an incredibly simple and pain-free procedure. Once your teeth have been professionally cleaned and polished in the dental office, the teeth are isolated and dried. Then a gel is applied that etches the teeth. The teeth are then rinsed and dried again, at which time the dental sealant will be brushed on. The clear, plastic-like liquid will be hardened and cured in of a minute with a blue ultraviolet light, and just that quickly, you have a wonderful protective coating on your teeth.
The Benefits of Dental Sealants for All Ages
The enamel surface of the tooth is the hardest in your body, yet each tooth has microscopic fissures, cracks, pits, and gaps. These tiny imperfections are exactly where the plaque likes to hide from your brushing efforts. The dental sealant will fill in all those tiny areas, creating a smooth, slick surface which is easier to keep clean and therefore also tougher for the plaque to adhere to.
The age group that benefits the most from the application of a dental sealant is that of children. For obvious reasons, children just cannot and do not brush adequately. Plaque does not care about age. A tooth is a tooth. This makes children far more susceptible to developing cavities. Having a dental sealant applied to your child’s teeth can help them get through these difficult growing years. Research has proven that a child without a dental sealant has a three times greater risk of getting a cavity.
Remember, though, the dental sealant will not replace brushing and flossing daily, since it is designed to be extra protection. Dental sealants can be beneficial to any adult as well. Your molars are also difficult to reach properly, and covering those surfaces with a protective plastic coating will deliver the same benefits to you. Take care of your teeth and enjoy your smile.