In the past few years, more and more individuals are starting to realize the importance of getting sealants on their teeth.
A dental sealant is a barrier placed on tooth surfaces that are most susceptible to decay.
These include, most especially, the biting surface of the molars, which has lots of small grooves where bacteria can accumulate and cause destruction.
If you wonder what dental sealants are, here are some basic (and interesting) facts about sealants and how they can help protect the teeth.
Dental sealants protect the teeth from cavities
Even if you brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day, it doesn’t mean that you are safe from developing cavities.
It’s simply because the bristles of your toothbrush don’t reach the small pits and grooves on your teeth, making them an ideal niche for bacteria to grow, multiply, and wreak havoc.
Dental sealants help solve this problem by covering these small grooves with a tooth-colored plastic material. This blocks the accumulation of bacteria and in turn, their ability to attack and destroy the tooth enamel.
Dental sealants are suitable for any age
Contrary to what many people believe, sealants are not only for children.
While it is true that they are done mostly in children, sealants are actually are suitable for any age because the permanent teeth of older patients are also riddled with small grooves that need to be covered.
Dental sealants are quick and painless to apply
Applying dental sealants is much faster compared to putting restorations, be it complex or simple restorations.
The procedure is also absolutely pain-free, making it a very suitable procedure even for very young children.
Unlike restorations where the dentist has to use a dental drill to remove tooth structure, sealants only require cleaning and drying of the tooth surface so that the material will stick tightly to it. The entire procedure will only take a couple of minutes.
Dental sealants last long
Dental sealants can last for years depending on the patient’s oral hygiene practices and eating habits.
But then again, this extra layer of protection should not make you think that going to the dentist is not needed anymore.
In fact, you still have to do regular visits to your dentist can check if your sealants are still intact or if they need to be replaced already.
Dental sealants will help you save money
In addition to being absolutely fast and painless, it is also much cheaper than restorations. And the best thing is, most dental insurance companies include sealants in the list of treatments they cover.
Why spend on expensive tooth fillings when you can prevent the need for them in the first place – at a fraction of the cost!
While sealants can indeed do a great job in protecting your teeth, getting one should not make you forget that good oral hygiene practices, regular dental visits, and healthy are also critical in maintaining the health of your teeth and oral cavity.