Everything You Should Know About Dental Sealants for Adults

If you are well-read up about different treatments in dentistry, then you know a thing or two about dental sealants. Sealants are very popular in pediatric dentistry, playing a crucial role in fighting against dental cavities and tooth decay. However, did you know that dental sealants for adults can be just as effective? The secret lies in getting them early and done by a professional in sealant application for teeth.

What Are Dental Sealants?

They feature a thin plastic coating that is applied on the chewing surfaces of teeth. Dental sealants are used in preventive dentistry as a proactive measure to help patients fight against infections that cause dental cavities. When used, sealants mimic tooth fillings. These types of dental fillings, however, are used on teeth before dental decay happens, unlike the case with typical tooth fillings.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

Dental cavities form on teeth when plaque stays on them for too long. Ideally, if you do not adequately get rid of plaque from your teeth, the acids produced thereof begin to damage the enamel of your teeth. The process happens gradually, so you may not notice any changes until a cavity begins to form. One of the ways to overcome dental cavities in dentistry is through proper oral hygiene.

However, when it comes to keeping your teeth clean, you may not get it right for all your teeth. The back teeth are especially hard to reach. The stakes are even higher for the back teeth, which feature deep pits and depressions on the chewing surfaces. These pits tend to trap plaque, which is why molars and premolars are the most common types of teeth to get decayed.

The thin plastic coating is, therefore, painted to the chewing surfaces of your teeth. This coating creates a barrier that prevents the direct contact of plaque with your natural teeth. The result is a significantly reduced chance of getting dental caries for the treated teeth.

Dental Sealants Pros and Cons

Although dental sealants are popular for their incredible role in preventive dentistry, there are advantages and disadvantages to them. Before getting dental sealants, therefore, consider the pros and cons thereof:

Pros

• They protect teeth from infections that cause dental cavities – this is the primary reason why patients visit a dentist near them to get dental sealants.
• Dental sealants entail a quick and virtually painless application procedure.
• They contain fluoride that is released on teeth gradually. This serves as double protection for your teeth against dental cavities.
• They improve oral hygiene – by creating a barrier over the chewing surfaces of your teeth, dental sealants make oral hygiene that much easier to do. You no longer have to worry about plaque and food residues that are hard to reach in the pits of your teeth.
• They have a cosmetic advantage – the plastic coating is transparent, which means it does not compromise the aesthetic appearance of your teeth when you laugh.
• They combat aging and enamel thinning – according to Paul Stein, for adults, dental sealants have an added advantage of combating the effects of aging on teeth. The older you get, the higher the risk of getting dental cavities. The enamel of your teeth thins out as you age, hence reducing your teeth’ strength and ability to fight dental cavities. In that case, dental sealants prove effective by providing an extra layer on your teeth, reinforcing strength, all while fighting dental caries.

Cons

• Dental sealants are only useful for the back teeth, that is, premolars and molars. They cannot be used to protect your front teeth from dental cavities because the front teeth do not have pits and ridges that can be filled with a sealant material.
• Dental sealants do not work if you already have dental cavities on your teeth. If your teeth have already started to decay, you may need to visit an emergency dentist in North Port instead, to have a different restorative procedure performed.
• Dental sealants do not last forever – they will serve you for a little over five years before you need to have them replaced.