Sometimes, even when you maintain proper oral hygiene habits, including brushing and flossing regularly, you cannot prevent tooth decay and other dental issues. Dental sealants are a non-invasive, quick, and efficient way to protect your teeth from dental problems when used in conjunction with regular cleanings and at-home care.
A dental sealant is a tooth-colored material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars to stop the formation of cavities. Once the sealant is applied to the teeth, it completely covers the occlusal grooves, thus preventing the accumulation of bacteria. This helps prevent tooth decay and cavities.
Dental sealants are made from tooth-colored acrylic and are transparent. They are, therefore, indistinguishable. Sealants can be applied to children between the ages of six and 16 or once their six-year molars develop. Once applied, dental sealants help protect against 80% of cavities for two years and continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to 4 years.
During this procedure, our dentist will first clean the teeth and then apply the sealant onto the tooth enamel. The sealant will harden and bond to the tooth’s surface and protect it from bacterial deposits and tooth decay. The application of dental sealants is a quick, painless, and safe in-office procedure.
Dental sealants act as a protective layer for your teeth. When the cavity-causing bacteria that reside in our mouth meet the food debris left on our teeth, they produce acids that lead to tooth decay and cavities. Applying dental sealants helps keep these bits of food out and prevents bacteria and acid from settling on your teeth.
If you want to protect your teeth from cavities and tooth decay, dental sealants are essential. Many people have grooves in their teeth where food particles can accumulate. Even with regular brushing and flossing, the food particles may sit there, and the acids and bacteria in the mouth will continue to break them down, making the enamel more porous. This can lead to the development of cavities and tooth decay. Applying dental sealants to fill these grooves can make brushing more manageable and more effective.
After applying the dental sealants onto the teeth, it is important to check them regularly to ensure that they are still intact and serve their purpose. If the sealants are lost, they can be reapplied to ensure that the tooth is protected against decay.
Dental sealants are an important part of a child’s preventive dental care routine.
To schedule a consultation with our dental experts, call any of our offices in Livonia at (734) 425-7888, Ann Arbor at (734) 888-8886, or book an appointment online.
29522 Six Mile Rd, Ste A, Livonia, MI 48152
3250 Plymouth Rd, Ste 102, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
