The Benefits of Sealants
The first step in maintaining a healthy mouth is preventing tooth decay,
and sealants can offer major protection against cavities. Your teeth are
covered with a sticky film of bacteria, called plaque. When you don't clean
your teeth after eating, plaque bacteria use sugar and starch in food as
a source of energy. The bacteria convert the sugar or starch into harmful
acids that attack tooth enamel for as long as twenty minutes or more. Repeated
attacks may cause the enamel to break down, resulting in cavities.
How does a sealant help prevent decay?
A sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing
surfaces of the back teeth -- premolars and molars. This plastic resin
bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing
surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel
from plaque and acids. Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food
particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. But toothbrush bristles
cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract food
and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by "sealing out" plaque
and food.
Is sealant application a complicated procedure?
Sealants are easy for your dentist to apply, and it takes only a few minutes
to seal each tooth. The teeth that will be sealed are cleaned. Then the
chewing surfaces are roughened with an acid solution to help the sealant
adhere to the tooth. The sealant is then 'painted' onto the tooth enamel,
where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. A special curing light
is used to help the sealant harden. As long as the sealant remains intact,
the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under
the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication
is needed. During your regular dental visits, your dentist will check the
condition of the sealants and reapply them when necessary.
Sealants are just for kids, right?
The likelihood of developing pit and fissure decay begins early in life,
so children and teenagers are obvious candidates. But adults can benefit
from sealants as well. Key ingredients in preventing tooth decay and maintaining
a healthy mouth are twice-daily brushing with an CDA-accepted fluoride
toothpaste; cleaning between the teeth daily with floss or interdental
cleaners; eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks; and visiting your
dentist regularly. Ask Dr. Costigane about whether sealants can put extra
power behind your prevention program.
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