Dental sealants are used on your teeth to protect them from cavities. They are made of a type of plastic material, and are usually placed on the back teeth which have the highest chance of decaying. These teeth are called premolars and molars. Brushing and flossing cannot get all the food and plaque from these back teeth, so the dental sealant is put on them to seal out these substances.
Your dentist can tell you if you can benefit from dental sealants. He or she will explain the whole procedure, of course, as well as the advantages and disadvantages. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of dental sealants. You should check with your dental insurance carrier to find out if dental sealants are covered under your plan.
How Dental Sealants are put on your Teeth
Sealants are simple for your dentist to put on. The sealant is brushed onto the tooth’s surface. It acts as a coating on the tooth, and reinforces its enamel. As long as the applied sealant stays solid, these tooth surfaces are safe from decay. Dental sealants are strong enough to survive the normal chewing process, and can provide several years of protection from plaque, acid and decay. Sealants can last approximately ten years. Seeing your dentist regularly will help because they will maintain the condition of the sealant, and can apply more if needed.
Who Needs Dental Sealants?
Anyone can benefit from protecting their teeth from plaque, acid and decay. From children to seniors, the probability of getting pits and fissure decay can happen to anyone. Children and teenagers are at a higher risk, but adults will greatly benefit from sealants as well. Usually, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars, as soon as they grow in, to prevent them from getting decayed in the first place. The highest risk of this happening is between the ages of six and fourteen. Sometimes the dentist will decide to put dental sealants on baby teeth, especially if there are deep indentations in them. Baby teeth are extremely vital to the placement of permanent teeth, so keeping them healthy as long as possible is important to the spacing of adult teeth.
Preventing Tooth Decay
The first thing you should do is brush your teeth at least two times each day with fluoride toothpaste. You must also clean carefully between teeth with floss to get plaque and food particles out. It is also important to eat a nutritious diet, and not eat too much sugar, carbohydrates or acid containing foods and drinks.
Visiting your dentist regularly is also essential to stopping tooth decay and other dental problems.
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