Are you looking to know What Are Dental Sealants? then read this article to find out What Are Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are applied to the back side of the teeth. It is a thin coating that safeguards the chewing surface from bacteria. These bacteria are capable of causing serious infections and cavities. If you’re searching for a dentist near me, any periodontal specialist can place sealants as part of dental treatment. Sealants are in the form of a liquid, which turns hard once applied by your dentist.
WHAT ARE DENTAL SEALANTS MADE OF?
The manufacturers of dental sealants use a variety of materials to make the sealants, including resins (in the form of plant or synthetic) and glass ionomers (a combination of glass powder with a water-based acid).
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SEALANTS?
Dentists place sealants to protect the back side of your teeth from infection. There are so many grooves on the back side of the teeth, where the chewed food can be stored. The back side of the teeth helps you grind the food when you are eating. The food gets stuck inside the back of the teeth, which causes tooth decay due to a cavity. The sealants protect your teeth so that the bacteria cannot reach them.
WHO NEEDS DENTAL SEALANTS?
The need for dental sealants is popular amongst children and women. But some portion of adults with tooth decay may also require getting dental sealants. Dental fillings can also give benefits to people who did not get any fillings or cavities in their molars. Ultimately, a person with tooth decay needs dental sealants placed on their teeth. Children should get dental sealants at an early age so that they can avoid cavities during the cavity-prone years. In certain cases, dental sealants are also installed in newborns. A baby’s teeth are the foundation for the adult teeth.
HOW COMMON ARE SEALANTS?
The sealants are the most common preventive treatment given in America. In America, approximately 42% of children aged around six to eleven and 48% of teenagers have sealants placed every year.
RISKS/BENEFITS OF DENTAL SEALANTS
The benefits associated with having a dental sealant placed in your tooth are that it removes food, plaque, and bacteria from the side of your tooth. Flossing and brushing do not always remove stuck food from your teeth. Sealants give protection to this part of your teeth by sealing your tooth against bacteria and leftover food. The risk associated with placing dental sealants is that they can only last up to five years. You have to get them replaced every five years, which can turn out to be a big disadvantage. A huge disadvantage of dental sealants is that they cannot be placed on the tooth where you have an existing filling or decay.
CONCLUSION
Dental sealants are a preventive dentistry treatment to protect from bacteria and cavities. If properly placed, it can last up to 5 years. It is suggested that you get a professional opinion before getting a dental sealant. The pros of getting dental sealants outweigh the cons, so it is safe to get a dental sealant.