Dental Sealants
To help prevent decay and to supplement your regular routine of brushing and flossing, your dentist can apply a coat of plastic material -- called a sealant -- on the biting-surfaces of your teeth. This plastic coating creates a barrier between your teeth and the decay-causing bacteria that live in plaque.
What is plaque and why does it cause cavities?
As you or your children eat and drink during the day, the food in your mouth combines with bacteria to produce a sticky film called plaque that attaches on and in between tooth surfaces (tooth enamel). Plaque often is found on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where it is difficult to remove by brushing and flossing alone. If plaque is not removed regularly from your teeth, it can produce acids, which will attack the tooth enamel and create pits or holes (cavities) in the tooth. This is tooth decay.
How can sealants help prevent cavities?
Coating your teeth with a slippery plastic material makes it harder for plaque to stick inside the tiny grooves on the biting surfaces of the teeth - reducing the risk of forming cavities and tooth decay.
Is it difficult to apply sealants?
No. Your dentist may use a special instrument to apply the plastic sealant on your teeth. Most often, it is a painless treatment that can last for many years.
Who should get sealants?
Sealants are most effective in reducing cavities in children with newly formed permanent teeth. They are useful in cutting down formation of decay in adult teeth, as well. An application of sealants is a preventive measure to keep teeth healthy. It is an effective way to reduce the need for fillings and more expensive treatment that may be required to repair the damage from cavities, so sealants can also save you money. |
