Did you know that cavities are one of the most common dental issues that arise in patients of all ages? Luckily, there are many measures you can take to prevent them. Here, we’ll talk about one of the best preventive treatments for cavities: dental sealants.
Your Dental Checkup
At your dental checkup, Dr. Metwally will thoroughly examine your teeth. He is looking for existing signs of decay as well as areas of the mouth that may be more prone to it. For example, molars have natural grooves and crevices on the top of them that can harbor food debris and bacteria. To prevent cavities, our team will often recommend dental sealants to fill in those natural grooves.
How Dental Sealants Work
Dental sealants are a thin, clear plastic protective coating that seals off deep grooves on the surface of molars. They keep teeth safe and help ward off bad bacteria from settling on the tooth’s surface. Applying sealants is a simple, easy process. Your hygienist will finish cleaning your teeth before applying any dental sealants. Most sealants are brushed onto the grooves of teeth with a small, soft brush. After they’re in place, your hygienist will use a blue light to harden the sealants.
Sealant Longevity
Even though sealants are thin, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t durable! Studies have shown that sealants can last up to nine years and if a sealant is dislodged, they are very easy to replace. Sealants can provide nearly a decade of protection from cavities and decay. That’s pretty impressive!
Schedule Your Next Visit
In addition to dental sealants, your oral hygiene regimen also plays a large role in protecting your teeth. Make sure you’re brushing twice a day at least two minutes each time and flossing daily. We also highly recommend scheduling at least two dental checkups per year to ensure your smile is healthy and cavity-free. Have questions about dental sealants? Our Northside Dental team would love to answer them! Please send us a message to learn more!