Are dental sealants right for you? Although these sealants are often used for children, adults can benefit from them as well. Here’s how you can determine if dental sealants might help improve your oral health!

If You Have a History of Tooth Decay

If you’re an adult who has a history of tooth decay, including having several cavities or having new cavities during each checkup, you may be a candidate for dental sealants.

Since dental sealants help protect teeth—usually the permanent molars in the back of the mouth—they can help prevent your teeth from getting any more cavities. You and your dentist can discuss if dental sealants would be a positive investment for your smile.

If you have a child who hasn’t experienced any tooth decay yet, your dentist still might consider dental sealants to protect the adult teeth. In the event that your child already has experienced tooth decay in either their baby or permanent teeth, dental sealants can help stop any future decay.

When You Want Extra Protection

Dental sealants work by protecting your tooth enamel—the shiny, outer layer of your teeth that protects the softer tissues inside—from harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay. For adults who want extra protection on their back teeth, dental sealants could be an option.

The reason dental sealants are most often used for the molars is because these teeth tend to have deep grooves that are difficult to clean with a traditional toothbrush. When bacteria get trapped in these grooves, decay can result.

If you just want a little extra help taking care of your smile or protecting your smile for the future, dental sealants may be able to help!

A Simple, Effective Procedure

Dental sealants are ideal for people who have dental phobia or dental anxiety because they require no anesthesia and aren’t painful at all. Getting dental sealants is a simple, effective procedure that has been shown to be successful at preventing tooth decay.

Your dental sealants have the potentially to last for up to 10 years with the right care. They don’t require any food or activity restrictions after the procedure, and you’ll be able to continue on with your day after the material is professionally applied by your dentist.

For adults and children who want an easy way to help protect their teeth, dental sealants are a consideration. It’s crucial to remember that you still need to brush, floss, and visit your dentist even with dental sealants. They aren’t 100% effective at sealing out decay, so you need to do your part, too!

Could dental sealants be right for your smile? If you have a history of tooth decay, want some extra help taking care of your teeth, or just want your smile to be as healthy as possible, dental sealants could be for you. Schedule and appointment with your dentist today to discuss dental sealants!

The post Are Dental Sealants Right for My Smile? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Dental sealants are applied over your teeth to effectively “seal” out food and bacteria. Particularly on the back molars, food and bacteria get trapped within the grooves of our teeth. Some of these grooves are deep and can’t be properly cleaned with just brushing and flossing. When you have dental sealants, your tooth is essentially protected with the clear and invisible sealant barrier from food and bacteria that could lead to tooth decay such as cavities!

Prevent Cavities

The best time to apply dental sealants is when your molars are relatively new in your mouth and haven’t yet had the chance to be affected by tooth decay—this would be between the ages of 6 and 12 when the first and second molars come in. Even if you haven’t had dental sealants as a child, you can still get them as an adult! If your mouth is healthy, you likely qualify for dental sealants. The procedure is simple and your teeth can benefit from dental sealants for years to come!

Protect Existing Teeth

You’re still a candidate for dental sealants even if some of your molars already have cavities. This is because the sealants can prevent any more damage from happening to your teeth. If you have a small cavity or existing decay, your dentist will fix the problem before sealing your tooth with the dental sealant material. Dental sealants can help protect your teeth for up to 10 years! They’re great for people who experience frequent cavities and have a higher risk for tooth decay than most people.

Best Practices with Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are pretty sturdy, but there are a few things you can do to protect your teeth and extend the life of your dental sealants. These healthy habits include:

 Regular brushing and flossing. That’s right, sealants don’t mean you can just stop taking care of your teeth! Dental sealants are meant to be supplemental protection rather than a replacement for regular care.

 Use your teeth properly. Avoid chewing on things like ice or trying to open packaging with your teeth. This can not only damage your teeth, but your dental sealants as well!

 Get regular checkups. Your dentist can assess your dental sealants at each checkup to see how they’re holding up and whether or not you need more sealant material to help protect your teeth.

Dental sealants can be a great choice for kids as well as adults who are more prone to cavities and have trouble keeping tooth decay away. You can help supplement brushing and flossing and protect your teeth by asking your dentist about dental sealants!

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