You may be diligent about brushing and flossing, but food particles and bacteria can be hard to spot in every crevice. Unfortunately, if bacteria gain access to your teeth through decay, you could see serious consequences for your oral health. Young people are especially vulnerable to cavities. Dental sealants, as part of an overall dental hygiene regime, can help protect your teeth.
A dental sealant, essentially a thin plastic coating that covers the uneven chewing surface of a tooth, is an invisible and trouble-free way to fend off tooth decay. Dental sealants create a barrier between your teeth and plaque, bacteria, and acids that wear away at the enamel of your teeth. Research has shown that dental sealants are nearly 100 percent effective at fighting cavities.
One of the best things about dental sealants is that they can help people of all ages. Note that sealants are not a replacement for good dental hygiene or other preventive dentistry measures. Here are a few ways sealants can help members of your family:
Small Children: Even though baby teeth will be replaced, it's important to care for them to promote good dental health throughout your child's life. When kids are small, they might not have a perfect dental care routine. Trouble spots behind molars can get missed, and your kids might have a tough time scrubbing away the grime between gaps in their smiles. Dental sealants can protect their young teeth until they are better able to care for their teeth.
Teenagers: When permanent teeth are new and before decay has taken hold is the most beneficial time to get sealants. Teens may be able to avoid cavities if dental sealants are applied early. Sealants are also important when braces prevent children and teens from taking proper care of their teeth.
Adults: If your molars have made it this far without extensive work or deep cavities, it's worthwhile to get dental sealants to keep them that way. Sealants fill in crevices where bacteria tend to hide and create an impenetrable shield to help keep you cavity free for years to come.
While sealants have a very powerful benefit to your dental health, they are one of the simplest treatments you can have done to your teeth. Having dental sealants applied at Newman Family Dentistry is easy, quick, and pain-free. This procedure is typically done during a regular dental checkup. After a hygienist cleans and polishes your teeth, they will apply a slightly acidic solution to the chewing surfaces to give the sealant a favorable surface to adhere to. After this solution is rinsed off and your teeth are dried, the dentist will paint the sealant onto your teeth where it will remain until it wears away. We can touch up your sealant as needed over the years. In many cases, dental sealants can last up to 10 years.
If you are interested in having sealants applied for yourself or a member of your family, contact your caring Indianapolis dentists to set up an appointment. The dentists at Newman Family Dentistry are always happy to answer questions and discuss the pros and cons of any treatment. Sealants are most effective before decay begins, so don't delay. We offer both early morning and evening hours so you can bring your kids in before or after school. We have two locations in Indianapolis and Carmel for your convenience.
