Dental sealants consist of a thin plastic material that is applied on the chewing surface of back teeth. Sealants offer protection from bacteria and acids that contribute to tooth decay. An increasing number of people are getting them because of their benefits. Read on to find out when your dentist may recommend dental sealants.
Back teeth are effective tools for grinding food. That is why those teeth have uneven, rough surfaces with grooves called pits and fissures. Pits and fissures basically make up the teeth’s chewing surfaces. These grooves are found on both the molars and premolars. Even though pits and fissures help people chew, they provide good places for food particles and bacteria to hide.
Even a person who is committed to brushing regularly is not going to get rid of everything that can build up in them. When bacteria come into contact with food particles in the mouth, it creates acid. Holes, commonly known as cavities, form on the teeth after the acids eat away at them. Dental sealants protect the back teeth from cavities by creating a physical barrier between the teeth and bacteria and food particles.
Dental sealants are often recommended for patients who are more at risk of developing cavities, like young children and teens. Young people have a high likelihood of developing decay in the grooves and depressions of their back teeth. Sealants can be very effective in keeping cavities from forming and can even stop decay in its early stages. This is why it makes sense for young people to get dental sealants.
The first molars often start coming in around age 6 and the second ones break through around age 12. It is often ideal to seal these teeth just before they come through. This will help keep them cavity-free from the start. Even children who have baby teeth can still get dental sealants. Sealants can protect kids from cavities in baby teeth just like they do for permanent teeth.
However, that does not mean that only young individuals can get sealants. Sealants may also be beneficial for adults. Some individuals are usually prone to cavities because of the structure and shape of their teeth. Those people can benefit from the added protection sealants offer.
Dental sealants usually last for several years which is part of the reason many patients prefer them. After the sealants are applied, the dentist will check on them during regular dental visits. The dentist will make sure that the sealants are still staying on the teeth correctly. The point is to ensure that everything is working the way it should.
Sealants can help prevent cavities in adults and children. Sealants offer an effective pain-free way of providing extra protection against cavities. If you are thinking of getting sealants for your child or yourself, talk to your dentist today. Your dentist is better suited to determine if dental sealants are right for your family. Your dentist will also be happy to answer any questions you have about dental sealants.
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