You regularly brush and floss your teeth. You also make sure to visit your dentist for your routine dental checkup. Yet, your teeth still get cavities. Your dentist may have suggested sealants for added protection to your oral health.
Dental sealants serve as a protective coating in liquid form placed on the teeth, specifically the areas where decay usually starts. The liquid sealant dries up and bonds with the teeth protecting it from bacteria buildup and decay. When used with comprehensive dental care such as brushing and flossing teeth, and eating tooth-friendly foods, then your oral health will be well-protected against cavities and gum disease.
When is the best time to get dental sealants?
While there is no age limit in getting dental sealants, it is best applied at a young age when tooth decay has not started yet. When dental sealants are applied on the permanent teeth as soon as it comes out, it will ensure additional protection to the teeth against cavities.
However, it is never too late with adults too, especially those who are more susceptible to getting dental cavities. Individuals with orthodontics appliances and those with pits on their molars will also greatly benefit from dental sealants.
What are the benefits of dental sealants?
According to ADA CSA and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), dental sealants help minimize the progression of dental caries by 86% in the first year. Other benefits of applying dental sealants include:
- Protection against plaque and cavities
Dental protection is the primary role of dental sealants. Once applied, it works 24/7 in protecting your tooth enamel from acids and plaque that can wear it down. It will also seal the pits and fissures of your molars; keeping the food particles and bacteria at bay.
- Saves money
Another benefit that you will greatly enjoy with dental sealant is that it saves you money. Treating dental problems can be costly. Imagine the amount that you need to pay for visiting a dental clinic annually to treat your dental problems. Dental sealants will provide protection to your teeth for up to 10 years — that is the length of time you get to save money from getting dental crowns and filling. Apart from that, most of the health insurance providers include dental sealants in their coverage.
- Painless and easy to apply
Dental sealants are painless, non-surgical, easy to apply, and provides protection right after it is applied on the teeth. Typically, your dentist will perform a thorough dental checkup to determine the condition of your dental health and the areas that need sealant. During the application, the dentist will apply the liquid sealant using a brush on the surface of the teeth paying more attention to the back area. You need to let the sealant get dry and bonded on your teeth first before you rinse it. It is easy to maintain too. Your dentist will know if the sealant has worn out or got chipped off the teeth during your routine checkup. In case it happens, your dentist will just apply more sealant on the teeth to provide the necessary protection.
