|
SEALANTS
Sometimes
brushing is not enough. Everyone has hard-to-reach spots in their mouth, and
brushing doesn't always fully clean those difficult places. When that
happens, you are at risk of tooth decay. Using sealants on your teeth gives you
an extra line of defense against tooth decay
Dental sealant is a plastic resin that bonds to the deep grooves in your tooth's
chewing surface. When sealing a tooth, the grooves of
your teeth are filled
and the tooth surface becomes smoother — and less likely to harbor plaque.
With sealants, tooth brushing becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay.
Sealants are usually applied to children's teeth as a preventative measure
during the years of most likely tooth decay. However, adult's teeth can
also be sealed. It is more common to seal "permanent" teeth rather
than "baby" teeth, but every person has unique needs. Your dentist
will recommend sealants on a case by case basis.
Sealants generally last 3-5 years, however it is fairly common to see adults
with sealants still intact from their childhood. A dental sealant only provides
protection when it is fully intact, so if your sealant comes off let your
dentist know.
|
|