Dental Sealants for Adults
Dental sealants are such an incredibly effortless way to protect teeth. Why wouldn't everyone ask for a dental sealant application? Most often, dental sealants are associated with children because they are such an invaluable tool in fighting tooth decay. Yet a dental sealant will deliver the same benefits to you as an adult. The same reasons literally apply to all ages. Let us look at the anatomy of your mouth, the simple dental sealant procedure, and then how the sealant works to deliver the protective benefits.
The Reasons Behind Needing Dental Sealants
It is not possible to avoid bacteria in your mouth. In fact, every day you have millions of bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria are crucial to breaking down food and getting the necessary nutrients to sustain life. Too many bacteria left in your mouth will turn into a clear, sticky substance called plaque. This plaque sticks to your teeth. The bacteria in the plaque then deliver an acid which attacks the enamel of the tooth immediately, resulting in a cavity and decay. A dental sealant is a simple protective coating to help fend off this damaging plaque.
The Dental Sealant Procedure
A simple, quick, and pain-free process, your dentist or hygienist will first professionally and thoroughly clean your teeth. The teeth could be polished as well, and then a mild acid gel is applied to etch the enamel surface. This material is then rinsed off, your teeth are dried, and the transparent dental sealant is brushed or painted on. Applied to the entire tooth, but mostly on the chewing surfaces, and then the sealant is cured and hardened with an ultraviolet light. This finishing step takes less than a minute. You are now left with a thin, plastic-like coating that is like a raincoat covering and protecting your teeth.
How They Work and the Benefits of Dental Sealants
Every tooth has microscopic grooves and fissures on the surface of the hard enamel. The dental sealant fills those tiny crevices that prohibit the plaque from hiding in these difficult-to-reach areas for a toothbrush. This protective measure is extremely advantageous in children because of their lack of attention and lack of patience, creating an inability to brush their molars properly. The life expectancy of dental sealants can be around ten years, which gets children through the challenging growing years. Those very same benefits are extended to any adult. Dental sealants have been proven to reduce the risk of tooth decay by around 80% in those hard-to-reach molars.
Daily Oral Hygiene is Still Important
The health industry strongly recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time to keep up with the removal of persistent plaque. Flossing is also a suggested step to remove the plaque from between your teeth. The dental sealant does not replace these efforts. It is simply designed to be additional protection. Consult your dentist at your next exam and see if you might benefit from having dental sealants. It might not be necessary or beneficial. Healthy teeth always result in a healthy smile.