Dental Sealants: A Proactive Approach to Preventing Cavities
Cavities are one of the most common problems we encounter at our dental office. While it’s common, dental decay is easily preventable with good dental hygiene habits. However, cavities can still occur even with the most perfect dental care. Genetics, certain medical conditions, diet, and poor dental structure can put you at risk of cavities.
If you are losing the battle against cavities, dental sealants from Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Orlando, Florida, can protect your teeth. Dr. John E. Russo uses a non-invasive procedure to seal out chewing surface tooth decay by applying a protective coating over your cavity-prone teeth.
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are clear, plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Dental sealants form a protective barrier between the teeth and bacteria that cause dental decay. These preventive restorations are applied on the molars and premolars with tiny fissures and grooves that accumulate cavity-causing particles.
Are dental sealants for children only?
Dental sealants are common in children because kids are at a high risk of cavities. The enamel of baby teeth is thinner than that of permanent teeth, allowing harmful bacteria to erode it with ease. Furthermore, children have a thing for sugary treats, which puts them at risk of cavity-causing bacteria. Lastly, children are in the process of learning how to brush and floss their teeth. So as you may expect, they may not be thorough with oral hygiene, exposing them to cavities.
Although cavities are common in children, it doesn’t mean adults are safe. Anyone struggling with cavities can benefit from dental sealants, despite their age. Dental cavities are excellent for patients of all ages.
What to expect from dental sealant treatment
Getting dental sealants couldn’t be any easier! This non-invasive treatment can be completed in minutes after your routine oral exam. Unlike fillings or dental veneers, your teeth require minimal preparation and no shots to apply a sealant.
After cleaning your teeth, we dry them and apply an acidic gel to create a rough surface for the sealant to adhere to. Then, we apply the dental sealant and harden it into place using a curing light. The dental sealant is practically undetectable in your smile, so you don’t have to worry about aesthetics.
Dental sealants can last up to 5 years. However, if they become damaged, we’ll reapply them during your routine check-ups.
Benefits of dental sealants
Tooth decay is one of the significant threats to your dental health. While good oral hygiene can prevent cavities, sometimes it isn’t enough. Teeth sealants can give you an added layer of protection to prevent cavities.
These are the benefits of incorporating dental sealants in your preventive dental care.
- Long-lasting protection
- They are effective in preventing tooth decay
- Non-invasive and painless procedure
- Quick treatment
- Suitable for patients of all ages
- Undetectable results
- It’s cost-effective
Pro-tip: Dental sealants aren’t a substitute for regular oral hygiene practices. Even with teeth sealants, you should brush twice daily, floss daily, and adhere to routine dental exams.
Seal out dental decay with dental sealants
You don’t have to wait for cavities to develop so that you can take action. Act today! Cavities aren’t just painful, but they can result in numerous oral health complications. The foundation of healthy teeth and gums is prevention. Dental sealants are a cost-effective investment in your dental health. If you are ready to protect your smile with dental cavities, please call (407) 470-1224 to schedule an appointment with Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.
