How Do Dental Sealants Work to Prevent Cavities
Brushing and flossing removes food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of your teeth, however you can’t always get into the nooks and crannies of the back teeth to remove the debris and plaque. Dental sealants protect these difficult to reach areas from tooth decay and literally “seal out” plaque and food from those hard-to-reach places.
Dental sealants can prevent cavities in the teeth through the cavity-prone years of children ages 6 to 14. Although sealants are normally associated with children and young adults, they are effective for cavity-free adults too.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Sealants are made of a specific type of plastic. The sealant is applied in a thin coat to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (molars), and fills in the deep pits and grooves that put you at risk of developing tooth decay.
Dental sealants have been used for over 60 years, and have proven to reduce the risk of decay in molars by nearly 80 percent. This is crucial when it comes to your child’s dental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.”
Who Should Get Sealants?
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), sealants are one of the most effective methods of preventing tooth decay. The earlier sealants are applied, the greater protection they offer. Sealing molars as soon as they erupt can keep them cavity-free from the very beginning, but it’s never too late to protect any cavity-free chewing surface with sealants. Sealants are a good investment for anyone, since they can help you avoid the need to treat tooth decay with fillings and crowns.
How Are Sealants Put on Your Teeth?
- A dental hygienist who works on the team with Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS applies your sealant after your teeth are clean and dry.
- Your tooth’s chewing surface is roughened with a special gel to ensure that the sealant forms a strong bond with the tooth.
- Any excess gel is then wiped off, and the surface of the tooth is dried again.
- The sealant is then applied to the tooth and hardens into a strong, protective coating that will seal out debris from your back teeth that is difficult to reach with a toothbrush.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
Sealants are long-lasting, and in most cases, hold up to 10 years. Dr. Evanson will check them at every appointment to make sure they are still effective, and if they have come loose, sealants can be reapplied.
Sealants Do Not Replace the Need for Good Oral Care
- Dental sealants do not take the place of brushing and flossing. Nothing replaces the need for good oral care. A daily regimen should include the following:
- Brush your teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss your teeth once a day, preferably at bedtime. This helps to remove plaque from between your teeth, another area your toothbrush can’t reach.
- Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash to kill germs that are missed by brushing and flossing.
- See Dr. Evanson twice a year for professional cleaning. Routine dental check-ups every six months are recommended by the ADA because regular dental visits are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums.
Call our office at (720) 409-0008 to schedule an appointment or contact us online and be sure to ask about dental sealants to prevent cavities for you or your children. This may mean the difference between a lifetime of healthy teeth or the pain of chronic decay.
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