While we’ve all been instructed from a young age to brush our teeth at least twice per day and to floss daily, many people naturally can’t help avoid the impact that food particles and plaque can have when they penetrate vulnerable areas of the teeth, such as depressions and grooves. That’s why dentists now recommend that teeth with these types of chewing surfaces be protected with dental sealants.
Dental Sealants Decay Protection
Sealants are a quick and easy way to provide added protection against tooth decay. This is because a thin plastic-like material is painted onto the grooved surfaces of teeth, such as those found on molars in the back of the mouth, where they can then prevent the penetration of food, plaque and bacteria that gets stuck within the grooves and can lead to decay.
Most dentists recommend that children have their teeth sealed as soon as their molars fully erupt. This is generally around the age of six, when 6-year molars erupt, as well as around age twelve, when the 12-year molars erupt. Some children’s teeth come in earlier or later, so the exact age should be less of an indication as to when dental sealants should be applied than the time when the top edges of the teeth have fully come through the gums.
Sealing the top surfaces of the teeth prevents food particles from getting stuck within tiny grooves and depressions, where the particles can then lead to the development of plaque and decay. This can then result in the development of cavities. Dentists recommend that children have their teeth sealed as soon as possible after eruption of the teeth, especially since the time when molars erupt is the most cavity-prone time of children’s lives.
Although dental sealants are typically applied to the teeth of children, pre-teens and teens, adults who have not had their teeth sealed but want to avoid tooth decay can also have the procedure performed. In some cases, even young children with grooves in their teeth that may be prone to tooth decay can benefit from having the sealant material applied to teeth, since avoiding tooth decay, even in baby teeth is a worthwhile goal. Some may think that since the teeth aren’t permanent, it’s not as important to take necessary steps to prevent the development of cavities, but since those teeth are important in holding the place of permanent teeth so that they are properly spaced, it’s easy to see why preserving the health of even those temporary teeth is important to do.
Dental sealants on molars and other teeth are easily applied by a dentist after thoroughly cleaning the teeth. The teeth are then dried and an acid solution is applied to the chewing surfaces to help roughen the surface so the sealant bonds to the tooth better. Then the sealant material is painted onto the tooth and a special light is used to harden the material quickly. This seal is not a completely permanent solution and must be periodically checked to make sure that there are no cracks or fissures in the material. If necessary, the procedure can be performed again to further protect teeth from tooth decay and the development of cavities.
For more information about dental sealants, contact Park Dental Care in Queens at 718-274-1515.
