92% of American adults aged 20 to 64 have cavities in their permanent teeth. Judging by this statistic, you've probably got a few yourself.
When you notice a toothache, you'll
go to the doctor and they'll inspect it. And if it's a cavity, they'll clean,
drill, and put in a filling.
But did you know you can also get
dental sealants?
This article explains what dental
sealants are and how they can help you.
What
Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants
are used to protect your teeth. They use a thin plastic coating and paint it
onto your teeth by your dentist.
Typically, dental sealant is used on
your back teeth to help protect them from bacteria and decay. It bonds with the
shape of your teeth so it's like a thin barrier between your teeth and the
outside world. More specifically, it's used in the deep grooves.
Dental sealants are usually used on
adults since it's not worth it to put on baby teeth.
Benefits
of Dental Sealants
One of the biggest benefits of
dental sealant is that it'll seal off bacteria's access to
deep grooves in your teeth, which is where it's harder for you to brush and
floss. As a result, you'll be less prone to getting cavities.
But what are the other benefits you
can get?
It's
an Easy and Fast Process
The dental sealants procedure is
easy and fast. It can be done in one visit and it takes just minutes!
Your dentist will clean and dry your
teeth, then clean them again with a mild etchant. Then, they'll rinse off
the etchant and dry your teeth again.
They'll then place the dental
sealant on your teeth and use a curing light to harden the sealant.
It's
Painless
Many people are afraid of pain at
the dentist's office, and rightfully so, considering there are drills involved.
But you'll have nothing to fear, since the procedure is painless!
As you can see by the above section,
all that's really involved is cleaning, drying, and sealing.
Protect
Existing Cavities
If you have a very small cavity,
dental sealants can be used to protect these areas. It's a great alternative to
filling the cavity. Plus, it can prevent bigger cavities from happening.
It
Lasts a Long Time
In general, you can expect sealants
to last between 3 to 10 years. So you won't have to go back often to get them
redone!
However, you should be aware that if
you have acid reflux, eat lots of acidic foods, or grind your teeth, this can
cause the sealants to wear off quicker.
As you can see, there are many
benefits of getting dental sealants, so search for a "dentist near me"
now!
Ask
Your Dentist About Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a fantastic way
to be proactive about cavities, especially if you get them often. So if you
feel like your brushing and flossing routine isn't getting everything, then
dental sealants can give you a helping hand!
Want to find out more about dental
and overall health? Then browse our blog page.
