Are you someone who consistently gets cavities? Does it seem like no matter how regularly you use mouthwash and brush/floss your teeth they still decay?
Maybe you’ve even given up your favorite sugary drinks and foods in the hopes of better dental health. If any of these apply to you or if you simply want , consider looking into dental sealants.
How Dental Sealants Can Help
Dental sealants are made of a transparent resin that is painted onto the molars after they are cleaned and dried off. They provide an extra layer of protection that can dramatically reduce the likelihood of developing cavities.
, 9 out of 10 cavities occur in the back teeth and dental sealants can protect against up to 80% of cavities for the first two years after application, and remain up to 50% effective for up to four years after that.
Without dental sealants, food particles can easily get stuck in places that are harder to reach with a toothbrush or floss so bacteria grows more easily causing cavities. However, dental sealants fill in those places making it harder for bacteria to grow and damage teeth.
Are Dental Sealants Just for Kids?
No, anyone can get them. It is most common for children to get them, especially those around age 6 or whenever their premolars erupt. This is because they’re least likely to maintain good oral hygiene habits so they’re most susceptible to cavities when premolars erupt.
Applying dental sealants to a child’s new premolars will help them maintain good oral health. They can be reapplied when the permanent molars come in around ages 11 to 13.
Kids get distracted easily and may not have the attention span to brush their teeth for the whole two minutes. If you’re having difficulty with this try playing music or make a game out of brushing their teeth. Maybe there’s even an app that helps keep your child focused while they brush their teeth.
What’s Their Lifespan?
Dental sealants can last up to 10 years! To maximize their lifespan you should avoid biting down hard on ice, hard candy, and unpopped popcorn kernels because these can wear down the sealant especially fast. It is also a good idea to limit the amount of chewy/sticky candy as these may pull the sealant out over time.
While none of those are strictly off-limits, we recommend limiting them to help your dental sealants last longer, and it is important to note that they are not a substitute for brushing and flossing your teeth. Regardless of whether or not you have them, it is incredibly important to keep up your dental hygiene.
There is no recovery time from getting dental sealants. After the dentist paints them on, they will harden them with a special light. Then you can eat and drink immediately after the procedure is done.
Schedule an Appointment
If you want to protect your teeth from tooth decay/cavities with dental sealants, you can schedule an appointment by calling us at (248) 347-3700. Our dentists in Novi, MI want to help you maintain and elevate your dental health.