Categories: Dental Sealants

How Dental Sealants Protect Teeth from Decay

Dental sealants are a great preventive and protective general dentistry measure that can be used for both children and adults.  They protect the teeth against cavities and the effects of bruxism, which both can lead to tooth decay and eventual loss. Ready to find out how?

Protecting teeth with dental sealants

Below is an overview of dental sealants, including what they are and how they can be used to protect the teeth against decay. When looking into different protective measures, it can be helpful to review the following information.

What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are defined as thin, plastic-based coatings that cover the back teeth. A general dentist paints the plastic coating directly onto molars and premolars, which are responsible for chewing and grinding food when eating. The procedure is very simple and takes less than an hour. 

Protecting against tooth decay

Dental sealants are placed on back teeth, typically molars and premolars. These teeth are most prone to cavities and decay because they are responsible for chewing and grinding foods. Additionally, these teeth often grind up against each other at night, which leads to significant wear and tear of the enamel and entire tooth. Long-term wear and tear on the back teeth can result in decay. While it takes much longer for a tooth to decay from bruxism than it does cavities, the potential is there. 

With the help of dental sealants, the back teeth can be protected from cavity build-up and the effects of bruxism. When placing them, the general dentist will carefully apply the coating to the entire tooth, ensuring that all the pits and fissures are filled and sealed. The sealant is invisible, but keeps the enamel strong and protected, thus resulting in less of a chance that cavities or bruxism will cause decay. 

Other things to note

Dental sealants are primarily used for children as their teeth are more prone to developing cavities, which leads to tooth decay. However, adult patients can also have dental sealants placed as a preventive and protective measure. The procedure is simple, pain-free and non-invasive, which makes it a great option for anyone! 

While dental sealants are meant to provide permanent results, they often do not last past 10 years. Because they are placed on the back teeth, normal wear and tear does occur over time. Thankfully, dental sealants can be reapplied every few years to ensure that they remain intact and protective. 

After a dental sealant procedure, individuals may experience slight sensitivity, which is very normal. The sensitivity should not last more than 48 hours and can be remedied with a desensitizing toothpaste. 

Get started with dental sealants

When considering different preventive measures, such as dental sealants, it is a good idea to consult with a general dentist. An evaluation can be done in order to determine if dental sealants are a suitable option. Each individual is different, which means their needs may vary. To learn more about dental sealants and their use, reach out today!

Request an appointment here: https://www.roswelldentalsmiles.com or call Roswell Dental Smiles at (770) 238-1209 for an appointment in our Roswell office. 

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Sealants in Roswell, GA.

Recent Posts

What Are Dental Sealants For Teeth?

Dental sealants are a popular general dentistry procedure that many individuals consider to protect their teeth. Both children and adults can benefit from sealants as there are many associated advantages. The placement is very easy and pain-free, which is advantageous for patients of all ages. This fact is a great reason to find out more…

Preventive Benefits Of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants provide a simple but effective preventive solution to the issue of tooth cavities developing on chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The back molars have pits and fissures for chewing, but they tend to trap food debris, and the bacteria they harbor are often hard to clean, despite regular brushing. Applying dental sealants…

Why You Should Visit A Family Dentist For Dental Sealants Treatment

Dental sealants are a great protective option for patients of all ages. Family dentists typically administer them to children as a way to prevent tooth decay, but adults can also benefit from these preventive measures. This simple procedure can be done in less than an hour, and the results tend to last for a few…

What Is Involved In General Dental Services

In addition to proper brushing and flossing, routine professional dental services are an important part of maintaining oral health. A general dentist performs regular cleanings and checkups and can also provide numerous services for prevention and treatment. While some offerings may vary by location, general dentists can address the most common dental issues.Every six months,…

Dr. Saranya Sakthivadivel

Share
Published by
Dr. Saranya Sakthivadivel

Recent Posts

What a General Dentist Can Do for Teeth Grinding

Clenching and grinding the teeth, also known as bruxism, can wear them down and cause…

7 days ago

How Often to Schedule a General Dentistry Appointment

Visiting a dentist twice a year increases the odds of any developing issues being detected…

2 weeks ago

How a General Dentist Can Repair a Broken Tooth

Most general dentists agree that having a broken tooth is more serious than it gets…

2 weeks ago

Oral Hygiene Routines for Dental Implants

A dentist can offer helpful tips to ensure patients enjoy the benefits of implants long-term.

2 weeks ago

4 Simple Steps to Place Dental Implants

This article will examine the steps to getting dental implants from start to finish.

3 weeks ago

How a General Dentist Can Help With Tooth Pain

A general dentist can help if you find yourself dealing with tooth pain. As uncomfortable…

3 weeks ago