Why Are Dental Sealants So Important and What is the Process?

Even with regular brushing and flossing, some people can’t seem to sidestep cavities regardless of how disciplined they are with their oral hygiene regimen.

Proper oral hygiene and dental habits are imperative for strong, healthy teeth and gums. That’s why dentists recommend brushing and flossing your teeth twice every day or after every meal. Unfortunately, however, even with regular brushing and flossing, some people can’t seem to sidestep cavities regardless of how disciplined they are with their oral hygiene regimen.

If this sounds like you, maybe dental sealants can help address your situation. Here is everything you need to know about dental sealants and why they are so important for people of all ages.

What Are Dental Sealants?

As the name hints, a dental sealant is a thin and invisible plastic coating applied on your teeth’ surface, specifically the chewing surfaces and the back of the teeth, to protect them from tooth decay. Sealants are more common in children since they help prevent cavities in young permanent teeth more predisposed to decay. However, sealants are a universally accepted cavity prevention treatment for all ages.

Dental sealant bonds into the grooves of the teeth to form a protective layer on the tooth’s enamel. In doing so, it protects the areas of your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. This helps keep tooth decay and plaque at bay.

Should You Get Dental Sealants?

If you’ve been mulling over whether you should get dental sealants, here are a couple of reasons why you should:

• They actually work – Dental sealants aren’t a gimmick; they prevent tooth decay and cavities in people of all ages. Sealants prevent 80% of cavities for up to two years after applying them and 50% for up to four years.
• They are painless – Unlike most dental procedures, applying dental sealants is completely painless. What’s more, they don’t cause any discomfort after application.
• The best way to prevent tooth decay – Dental sealants are the best tooth decay prevention option because they’re almost guaranteed to work 100%. While intensive brushing and flossing are great, they don’t provide 100% protection from cavities.

The Dental Sealant Application Process

As mentioned above, applying dental sealant is a short and painless process. Here are some of the steps you can expect during the sealant application process:

• Step 1 – The dentist diligently cleans your teeth then dries them.
• Step 2 – The dentist applies an acidic gel on your teeth’ surface to make it more coarse. This helps the sealant bind better with the teeth’ surface.
• Step 3 – The dentist washes off the acidic gel to prepare for the actual sealant application.
• Step 4 – The dentist ensures that all the gel rinses off then carefully applies the sealant. After that, the dentist uses a blue light to make the sealant dry faster.

Get Dental Sealants Today

Contact the Dental Anesthesia Center today if you want sealants for your teeth to keep them safe from plaque, cavities, and decay.