Regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits are the three critical activities that help you to maintain oral health.
These behaviours help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, and thereby can have an important impact on your overall health.
Yet, as dental technology advances, new treatments and preventative techniques are discovered to inhibit or prevent tooth decay.
Dental sealants are a very effective weapon in the fight against tooth decay.
What are Dental Sealants? Dental sealants are thin, usually clear or white, plastic coatings that are applied to teeth to protect against tooth decay.
Generally speaking, a sealant is applied to the chewing surfaces of a tooth, as these surfaces are most likely to be affected by tooth decay.
By keeping germs and food particles out of the grooves in chewing surfaces, sealants help to protect against tooth decay.
Which Teeth are Best Suited to Sealants? Sealants are most useful on permanent teeth, specifically the molars.
Children usually get their first set of molars at around age 6, but their second or permanent molars do not erupt until around age 12.
Dental sealants are most effective when applied shortly after the permanent molars have come up in order to prevent tooth decay.
More Information about Dental Sealants Sealants are applied easily and without the need for drilling or the removal of tooth structure.
First, the dentist will clean the teeth and then apply a special gel on the chewing surface for a few seconds.
The tooth is then rinsed and dried before the sealant is painted on the tooth.
Sometimes a special light is also used to help harden the sealant on the tooth; generally, it takes about a minute for the sealant to set and provide protection.
Sealants are virtually invisible, and cannot be seen when a child talks or smiles.
More importantly, sealants have little impact on the oral environment; while patients may be able to feel the sealant with their tongue, they are actually very thin and generally go unnoticed.
Sealants are also a long-lasting preventative treatment that provides protection against tooth decay for 5 to 10 years.
Dentists will check the condition of dental sealants at your regularly scheduled appointments.
It is very important to note that sealants do not replace regular oral health habits.
Regular brushing and flossing are still critical aspects of maintaining dental health, and you'll also need to maintain your regular dental visits.
During checkups your dentist will still utilize fluoride treatment to prevent cavities.
Indeed, dental sealants are just one more layer of protection when it comes to tooth decay.
In the long run, dental sealants can help prevent cavities which in turn help to maintain the strength, quality, and health of your natural teeth.
These behaviours help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, and thereby can have an important impact on your overall health.
Yet, as dental technology advances, new treatments and preventative techniques are discovered to inhibit or prevent tooth decay.
Dental sealants are a very effective weapon in the fight against tooth decay.
What are Dental Sealants? Dental sealants are thin, usually clear or white, plastic coatings that are applied to teeth to protect against tooth decay.
Generally speaking, a sealant is applied to the chewing surfaces of a tooth, as these surfaces are most likely to be affected by tooth decay.
By keeping germs and food particles out of the grooves in chewing surfaces, sealants help to protect against tooth decay.
Which Teeth are Best Suited to Sealants? Sealants are most useful on permanent teeth, specifically the molars.
Children usually get their first set of molars at around age 6, but their second or permanent molars do not erupt until around age 12.
Dental sealants are most effective when applied shortly after the permanent molars have come up in order to prevent tooth decay.
More Information about Dental Sealants Sealants are applied easily and without the need for drilling or the removal of tooth structure.
First, the dentist will clean the teeth and then apply a special gel on the chewing surface for a few seconds.
The tooth is then rinsed and dried before the sealant is painted on the tooth.
Sometimes a special light is also used to help harden the sealant on the tooth; generally, it takes about a minute for the sealant to set and provide protection.
Sealants are virtually invisible, and cannot be seen when a child talks or smiles.
More importantly, sealants have little impact on the oral environment; while patients may be able to feel the sealant with their tongue, they are actually very thin and generally go unnoticed.
Sealants are also a long-lasting preventative treatment that provides protection against tooth decay for 5 to 10 years.
Dentists will check the condition of dental sealants at your regularly scheduled appointments.
It is very important to note that sealants do not replace regular oral health habits.
Regular brushing and flossing are still critical aspects of maintaining dental health, and you'll also need to maintain your regular dental visits.
During checkups your dentist will still utilize fluoride treatment to prevent cavities.
Indeed, dental sealants are just one more layer of protection when it comes to tooth decay.
In the long run, dental sealants can help prevent cavities which in turn help to maintain the strength, quality, and health of your natural teeth.
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