Maintaining good dental hygiene is a top priority for many of us. But even if you brush, floss and take extra precautions in order to keep your teeth clean, at times it might still not be enough.
Crowns of the molar teeth have natural ridges and depressions in which your food can get stuck. In case you don’t clean your teeth properly, the food particles begin to form mold and cavities over time. These cavities can cause tooth decay.
This is exactly where sealants come in:
What Are Sealants?
Sealants are thin plastic coatings placed on the crown of molar teeth, since they are mostly used for chewing purposes, in order to protect your natural enamel from cavities. It can be difficult to reach the nooks and crannies of teeth to clean them, so your dentist places a plastic coating on your teeth. It is a simple procedure and takes a few minutes.
How Sealants Benefits You?
Not everyone has similar teeth— often times molars have deep groves which are difficult to reach through brushing. Overtime food particles stuck in teeth form plaque causing tooth decay. Sealants fill the grooves and form a smoother surface which is easier to clean and protects the enamel from forming any cavity causing bacteria.
Are Getting Sealants Painful?
Getting sealants is not a painful procedure at all. It doesn’t require drilling or anesthesia. Your teeth is cleaned and polished to remove any dirt. The sealant solution is applied to the surface of the teeth and hardened with a UV light. The solution is bonded to your teeth ensuring that you get a smoother surface and gives you long term protection from cavities.
Who Should Get Sealants?
Sealants are ideal for permanent molars particularly in children, to avoid formation of cavities. The procedure may also be suitable for teenagers who haven’t had any filings. They can only be placed on natural teeth.
How Long Is The Life of Sealants?
Sealants can last up to 10 years if taken care of properly. There is no need to get sealants removed under dentist’s
You dentist will keep a check on sealants on every visit, to see if they are wearing off before time and will reapply them as needed. Regular checkups are necessary to keep sealants clean and protect teeth from any bacteria that can calcify into tartar.
If you are apprehensive about Sealants, and wondering if they really are a good choice for you or your child, look no further. Remember a good dentist will help you get through the procedure without complications. We at Advanced Dental Center take measure to help our customers achieve the best results with the help of your professional staff. Book an appointment with a dentist in Gaithersburg at (301) 353-8890.