How do Tooth Sealants help?

Your grinding teeth or molars consist of canyons, caves and pits. All these formations serve as a breeding ground for bacteria and hence, decay. The answer is a sealant. Done correctly, a sealant can be highly effective in preventing cavities.

A sealant is made up of a composite material that contains bonding agents to seal to the tooth’s edge. Sealants can be applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent food from being trapped on those surfaces. This is a great way to prevent decay and cavities as well as the needs for expensive and painful dental procedures, such as root canal treatment.

How is a Sealant applied?

The process of placing a sealant on a tooth’s surface is quite precise and painless.

First, the tooth, that is to be sealed, is cleaned with a baking soda or sodium bicarbonate spray. An acid etch is then applied to the surface to slightly “roughen it up”. Saliva is not allowed to touch the tooth because that will re-mineralize the area, and the etching will have to be repeated. An alcohol-based liquid is used to dry out the area, which must remain completely dry. The sealant is applied in such a manner that it can cover all the caverns, pits, fissures, and grooves of the tooth. Once the sealant has been applied, it is then cured with a special light. The light helps the sealant turn into a hard, plastic-like material.

Sealants are durable and they can last for several years. However, like all other aspects of oral health, sealants need to be examined regularly, ideally on a semi-annual basis. If your dentist spots a break in the sealant, it can be repaired. Otherwise, you are at a high risk for tooth decay. Repair of a damaged sealant is simple, painless, and quick to be done.

Who can benefit from sealants?

Anyone can benefit from sealants. Children are often advised sealants as routine preventive care. Adults who have deep canyons in their teeth, or have teeth with stained grooves, can also benefit from a sealant. The sealant process is quick, painless, and does not require you to go under any anesthesia. Sealants are an effective way to reduce your long-term dental restorative costs.

Consider sealants an investment in your dental and oral health. You can achieve great benefits from sealants because properly cared for teeth will remain cavity free and you will have your 32 intact!

To learn more about treatment for misaligned, chipped or missing teeth, braces, cavities or teeth cleaning, consult the leading Topeka Kansas dentist, call Covenant Family Dental Care at 785-268-6282 Today. The Covenant Family Dental Care team is committed to providing you a relaxing and positive dental health and care experience.

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Covenant Family Dental Care Joined: August 24th, 2018