What is a dental sealant and when is it necessary?

Dental service in Houston

Brushing and flossing are the best ways to help prevent cavities, but it's not always easy to clean every corner of your mouth and crevices of your teeth, especially the back teeth, called molars. The molars have a rough, uneven chewing surface and many of them with very marked pits and fissures, making them a favorite place for food debris and cavity-causing bacteria to accumulate.

dental sealant

Still, there's another safety net to help keep those teeth clean. It's called a sealant and it's a very thin protective layer that adheres to the chewing surface of the back teeth. They are not a substitute for brushing and flossing, but they can prevent cavities from forming and may even prevent cavities in their early stages from advancing into full-blown cavities.

In fact, sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of cavities by nearly 80% in molars. This is especially important when it comes to the dental health of children since their molars usually have very marked anatomies and without any wear, causing bacteria to accumulate in those pieces if brushing is not entirely correct.

How do they work?

Sealants act as waterproofing for the teeth. When bacteria that live in the mouth and cause cavities encounter leftover food particles, they produce acids that can create holes and cavities in the teeth. Once the sealant has been applied, food debris stays out, preventing bacteria and acid from settling on the teeth, just like a raincoat keeps us clean and dry during a storm.

Components of dental sealants

Modern dental sealants are generally made of resin or glass ionomer. In addition, they usually contain fluoride that is released on the surface of the tooth, giving it greater protection and resistance.

From what age can they be used?

Sealants can be placed in both children and adults, but the sooner they are placed, the better. The first permanent molars appear in the mouth around the age of 6 and the second molars erupt around the age of 12. Sealing these teeth as soon as they erupt can keep them decay-free from the start, helping to save time and money in the long run.

When to use dental sealants?

When assessing the need for this type of preventive treatment, it is taken into account whether there is an increased risk of caries due to factors such as:

poor oral hygiene

Lack of exposure to fluoride

Previous and current caries experience

Any ongoing orthodontic treatment

Diet

A high-sugar diet that increases the susceptibility of developing cavities or teeth with enamel defects, that although these types of defects can make it difficult for dental sealants to bond to the tooth, it is still very important that these teeth are sealed since the enamel of Poor quality makes them more susceptible to decay.

This risk is also assessed in patients with underlying systemic diseases, which may imply an increase due to, for example, dry mouth caused by the intake of different medications.

A PERFECT SMILE GUARANTEED  

💙Dental Service 💙  🌐 https://www.prestigioussmile.com/en/ 

💌 Appointments 📱 +1 281-880-6666

📍14119 Stuebner Airline Rd, Houston TX 77069.

⏰Mon – Thu: 10 :00am – 6:30 pm

Friday: Closed

Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Sunday closed

Source: adeslasdental

Prestigious Smiles Dentistry: When it comes to finding the best dental practice in Houston, Prestigious Smiles Family Dentistry is the right place. Your Dentist in Houston, Tx, is dedicated to delivering high-quality dental care using advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment.

Dental service in Houston

Dentist office in Houston, Dentist near me in Houston, Emergency dentist in Houston, Family dentist in Houston, Dental clinic in Houston, Dental service in Houston, Dental care in Houston, Dental problems in Houston, Dental Implants in Houston, Dental practice in Houston, Family Dentistry in Houston, General Dentistry in Houston, Cosmetic Dentistry in Houston, Dental Crowns in Houston, Emergency Dental Care in Houston, Restore Implant Crowns in Houston, Zoom Whitening in Houston, Composite Fillings in Houston, invisalign in Houston, Occlusal guards in Houston, Sedation Dentistry in Houston, Pediatric Dentistry in Houston, Laser Dentistry in Houston, Prophy Basic Cleaning in Houston, Scaling and Root Planning in Houston, Oral Surgery in Houston, Root Canals in Houston, Orthodontics in Houston, Prosthodontics in Houston, Dental Crown Porcelain in Houston, Teeth straightening in Houston