When it comes to cavities, what’s the first word that comes to mind? Fillings? If it’s not “fillings,” is it “Brush your teeth!”? There’s another word that should be at the tip of your tongue when it comes to preventing cavities — sealants. Dental sealants can protect your most vulnerable molars — those rear teeth with their deep grooves and fissures — from developing cavities by placing a shield over top of them that wards off bacteria and acid.
Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Sealants?
The ideal candidates for dental sealants are children and teenagers who are particularly prone to tooth decay which can give rise to cavities. Sealants can prevent the development of cavities and the need for dental fillings in Red Deer. Ideally, kids should receive dental sealants as soon as their permanent teeth come in. With that said, kiddos are not the only good candidate for dental sealants from Riverside Dental Centre – adults are, too!
Adults can receive dental sealants on teeth that do not already contain cavities and that are not already affected by tooth decay. Those who are at a heightened risk of developing cavities are strongly recommended to get dental sealants, including grownups in the following categories:
● Adults with a history of cavities on other teeth or early warning signs of potential new cavities
● Adults with very thin tooth enamel
● Adults with extremely deep grooves and/or pits in their molars
● You have a diet that is high in carbohydrates and/or refined sugars
● You have poor oral hygiene
● If you wear braces that make complying with a thorough oral hygiene regimen more difficult
If you’re uncertain about dental sealants, ask your dentist in Red Deer to take a close look at your molars and give you their recommendation.
On the other hand, people who practice excellent oral hygiene habits, maintain a balanced diet, and have shallow grooves in their teeth that can be cleaned adequately with a toothbrush alone are not priority candidates for dental sealants. Having said that, sealants will provide an extra layer — quite literally — of defence quickly and at very low cost. There’s no downside to reducing your already low risk of developing cavities even further with dental sealants.
How Are Sealants Applied?
Dental sealants can be applied by a dentist in Red Deer in mere minutes and the process is completely painless. The first thing that your dentist will do is to carefully clean and dry your teeth, before roughening their surface using an acid solution. This makes it easier for the liquid sealant layer to bond to the tooth as it dries and hardens. Your dentist will rinse and re-dry the etched teeth before painting the liquid sealant onto the teeth and exposing the teeth to ultraviolet light to dry, harden and cure the sealant layer.
It takes just minutes for each tooth to be treated.
The results of this treatment don’t last forever since the sealant layer will gradually be worn away. But you can expect the protection to last between 5 and 10 years. Your dentist will examine your teeth carefully at regular check-ups to see if the sealant needs to be touched up or replaced.
If you’re ready to protect your and your children’s most vulnerable teeth, contact a dentist near you and ask how soon you can schedule an appointment to receive dental sealants near you. It’s a call that may eliminate the need to get dental fillings near you down the road.