Dental sealants are used in
general dentistry to protect teeth from developing cavities. They form a defensive layer on top of molars and premolars to prevent food and germs at bay. Here is additional information on how the dental industry utilizes sealants to protect patients' teeth.
Sealants are slender plastic coatings that dentists paint onto the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. They help prevent decay by creating a shield over the enamel of each tooth covered with them. Dental sealants aid in general dentistry by blocking food and plaque from penetrating the surface of molars and premolars. Though careful flossing and brushing remove some food particles and plaque from teeth, thorough hygiene cannot always remove debris from the crevices of back teeth.
Children and teenagers are ideal candidates for dental sealants. The first set of molars typically breaks through the gums around age 6 and the second set breaks through around age 11. As soon as the molars appear, they can be sealed to protect them from cavities.
Some kids benefit from sealants on their baby teeth if they have deeper grooves than most other children. Additionally, adults with generally healthy teeth can benefit from sealants.
In some instances, sealants can be placed over teeth with early signs of decay to thwart further deterioration of the tooth. When a clear sealant is used, your dentist can monitor the tooth to ensure the sealant is working as intended.
Applying a dental sealant is painless and quick. Your dentist needs only several minutes to spread the material over each tooth that requires it. The process consists of the following steps:
Sealants can work to protect teeth against decay for as many as 10 years. However, they still need to be checked for wear and tear at your regular semiannual dental appointments. According to the Center for Disease Control, sealants protect against 80% of cavities for the first two years after application. For up to four years, the CDC states that sealants protect against 50% of cavities. Your dentist can tell you when it is time to replace your dental sealants for optimal cavity prevention.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry in Houston, TX
Dental sealants are used in general dentistry to combat cavities in patients' back teeth where food and plaque tend to get stuck. They work by coating the teeth and providing a protective layer over top of them.
Request an appointment or call Marquette Dentistry at 713-275-8581 for an appointment in our Houston office.
Identifying the right general dentist serves as a vital step for anyone seeking to maintain a resilient smile and avoid the complications of progressive tooth decay or gum disease. A long-term relationship with a dentist ensures that the history of the mouth remains clear and that every treatment plan aligns with personal health goals. Selecting…
The average dentist in the U.S. works in general dentistry. A general dentist works on the front lines of diagnostic and preventative care for patients of all ages. A checkup with a general dentist can result in the early detection of dental diseases, including gum disease. Patients who regularly set up dental appointments tend to…
Your teeth are made of enamel, the hardest tissue in the body, but they can still break. If you suffer a broken tooth, do not panic. General dentistry has a variety of options available to fix it.You should visit your general dentistry office as soon as possible following a chipped, fractured, or broken tooth in…