Categories: Dental Sealants

How Dental Sealants Protect Teeth from Decay

Dental sealants are a great preventive and protective general dentistry measure that can be used for both children and adults.  They protect the teeth against cavities and the effects of bruxism, which both can lead to tooth decay and eventual loss. Ready to find out how?

Protecting teeth with dental sealants

Below is an overview of dental sealants, including what they are and how they can be used to protect the teeth against decay. When looking into different protective measures, it can be helpful to review the following information.

What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are defined as thin, plastic-based coatings that cover the back teeth. A general dentist paints the plastic coating directly onto molars and premolars, which are responsible for chewing and grinding food when eating. The procedure is very simple and takes less than an hour. 

Protecting against tooth decay

Dental sealants are placed on back teeth, typically molars and premolars. These teeth are most prone to cavities and decay because they are responsible for chewing and grinding foods. Additionally, these teeth often grind up against each other at night, which leads to significant wear and tear of the enamel and entire tooth. Long-term wear and tear on the back teeth can result in decay. While it takes much longer for a tooth to decay from bruxism than it does cavities, the potential is there. 

With the help of dental sealants, the back teeth can be protected from cavity build-up and the effects of bruxism. When placing them, the general dentist will carefully apply the coating to the entire tooth, ensuring that all the pits and fissures are filled and sealed. The sealant is invisible, but keeps the enamel strong and protected, thus resulting in less of a chance that cavities or bruxism will cause decay. 

Other things to note

Dental sealants are primarily used for children as their teeth are more prone to developing cavities, which leads to tooth decay. However, adult patients can also have dental sealants placed as a preventive and protective measure. The procedure is simple, pain-free and non-invasive, which makes it a great option for anyone! 

While dental sealants are meant to provide permanent results, they often do not last past 10 years. Because they are placed on the back teeth, normal wear and tear does occur over time. Thankfully, dental sealants can be reapplied every few years to ensure that they remain intact and protective. 

After a dental sealant procedure, individuals may experience slight sensitivity, which is very normal. The sensitivity should not last more than 48 hours and can be remedied with a desensitizing toothpaste. 

Get started with dental sealants

When considering different preventive measures, such as dental sealants, it is a good idea to consult with a general dentist. An evaluation can be done in order to determine if dental sealants are a suitable option. Each individual is different, which means their needs may vary. To learn more about dental sealants and their use, reach out today!

Request an appointment here: https://stunningsmilesoflakeforest.com or call Stunning Smiles of Lake Forest at (949) 258-7433 for an appointment in our Lake Forest office. 

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Sealants in Lake Forest, CA.

Related Posts

How A Dental Sealant Protects Teeth From Cavities

Thinking about getting dental sealant treatment? Dental sealants are a vital tool for preventing cavities or tooth decay. Tooth decay is a prevalent condition among children and teenagers, and when unchecked, it can lead to other serious oral issues such as premature tooth loss and gum disease. In combination with other preventive care measures such…

What Are Dental Sealants For Teeth?

Dental sealants are a popular general dentistry procedure that many individuals consider to protect their teeth. Both children and adults can benefit from sealants as there are many associated advantages. The placement is very easy and pain-free, which is advantageous for patients of all ages. This fact is a great reason to find out more…

Preventive Benefits Of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants provide a simple but effective preventive solution to the issue of tooth cavities developing on chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The back molars have pits and fissures for chewing, but they tend to trap food debris, and the bacteria they harbor are often hard to clean, despite regular brushing. Applying dental sealants…

Are Dental Sealants A Good Preventative Treatment?

Dental sealants are an excellent preventive treatment to protect the teeth against decay. The dentist will recommend the treatment if patient is particularly prone to cavities or if the child is still learning to take care of their teeth. This article covers the functions of dental sealants as a preventative treatment.Dental sealants are plastic-like coating…

Stunning Smiles of Lake Forest

Share
Published by
Stunning Smiles of Lake Forest

Recent Posts

What Are the Differences Between a General Dentistry and an Emergency Dentistry Office?

You may have a basic understanding of the differences between general dentistry and an emergency…

2 days ago

How an Emergency Dentistry Office Can Help You

An emergency dentist is a licensed dentist who focuses on treating dental emergencies, such as…

2 weeks ago

When Would a Dentist Recommend a Deep Teeth Cleaning?

Officially known as root scaling and planing, deep cleanings are a more extensive form of…

2 weeks ago

Dentist Near Me: Comprehensive Care for Oral Health

Finding the right general dentist can help maintain good oral health.

2 weeks ago

Visit an Emergency Dentistry Office if You Are Experiencing Gum Pain

Gum bleeding signifies that you must visit the emergency dentistry office immediately. The dentist will…

2 weeks ago

5 Signs You Need Emergency Dentistry

You may require emergency dentistry services if you experience severe discomfort, severe bleeding, tooth damage,…

3 weeks ago