Generally speaking, dentists only suggest dental sealants for children, because children are prone to having poor dental hygiene that can cause cavities. However, that doesn't mean that dental sealants can't be helpful to grown-ups too. If you're wondering if dental sealants can help your teeth, here's what you should know about them.
What Dental Sealants Protect
When dentists apply dental sealants, they don't coat the entire tooth in sealant. In most cases, the sealant is only applied to the chewing surface of the tooth and the front and back surfaces of the tooth. This means that a good percentage of your tooth will be protected by the sealant.
Dental sealants prevent bacteria and acidic foods from attacking the enamel directly, so they can help to protect your teeth from developing cavities. Think of dental sealants as an extra layer of enamel - the hard part of your tooth that protects the tooth pulp from damage.
The Need To Floss
It's important to keep in mind that dental sealants aren't generally applied in-between teeth. This means that it's still necessary for you to floss to keep your teeth healthy once you have dental sealants. While the covered parts of your teeth may be less likely to be damaged or develop cavities, you could still potentially have a cavity form on the edges of teeth that aren't treated.
In addition, flossing is a necessity for keeping your gums healthy and it reduces your risk of developing gum disease, so don't skip flossing.
Years of Protection
Thankfully, dental sealants aren't a short-term form of protection against the risks of cavities and dental erosion. Dental sealants can last up to ten years under normal circumstances. However, they can still be prematurely worn away or even chipped under extreme pressure, like when you eat extremely hard foods like candy brittle.
While dental sealants are a great long-term investment, you should still regularly see your dentist to get checkups to look for sealant damage. If any damage is found, your dentist can patch up the sealant to make sure you're fully protected.
Dental sealants aren't a guarantee that your teeth and gums will be cavity-free for the next ten years, but they can greatly increase your defense against developing them. If you want to give your oral health a boost, dental sealants may be the way to do it. Ask a dentist, such as http://www.pikedentistry.com, if dental sealants are right for your teeth.
Share2 February 2016
Do you remember the last time you looked at your smile and really loved what you saw? A few years ago I started spending more time analyzing my appearance, and I noticed that my teeth were seriously lacking. I knew that I had to do something to improve the situation, so I began focusing on loving my smile by getting some work done. I started talking with a dentist about how he could help, and it was really incredible to see the simple difference that he was able to make. Within a few years, my smile looked and felt completely different, and I was really pleased with the results. Check out this blog for great information on making your smile more beautiful.
