What Are Sealants for Teeth?

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What Are Sealants for Teeth?
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Dr. Vanama recommends that all children and some
adults receive dental sealants to protect against
cavities and tooth decay. Unfortunately, both of
these problems are getting worse over time.
According to the American Dental Association,
three-quarters of all kids in the United States
have tooth decay or have had cavities filled by
the age of 19.
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Perhaps you are wondering What is a dental
sealant? You wouldnt be the first person to ask
this of the Discovery Dental staff. A dental
sealant is a coating that goes on the back teeth
to prevent bacteria from invading and turning
into tooth decay. The reason Dr. Vanama places
sealants on the furthest molars is
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that these teeth are difficult to reach and keep
clean with a regular toothbrush. Even regular
flossing may not be enough due to the awkward
angle. Dental sealants are a fast and painless
way to keep these teeth free of harmful bacteria.
We typically start these treatments around age
six.
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How Dr. Vanama Applies Dental SealantsEach
tooth receiving a sealant must be perfectly clean
so it remains affixed permanently. After cleaning
is complete, Dr. Vanama places etching on the
tooth that will hold the dental sealant in place.
After exposing it to air for approximately one
minute, she uses an air gun to dry it.
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The last step is placing the liquid sealant on
the grooves and fissures of the back teeth and
shining a curing light on them so the sealant
hardens in place. Dental sealants can last up to
10 years if the patient chooses a healthy diet
and invests time each day in good oral hygiene
habits. The American Dental Association reports
that approximately 85
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of patients have a reduction in cavities or tooth
decay the first year after receiving a sealant.
At the five-year mark, about half of all patients
still benefit from having one. Some people choose
to have a new dental sealant put in place at that
time to keep their teeth as healthy as possible.
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Dr. Madhuri Vanama or any staff member at
Discovery Dental in Issaquah, Washington would be
happy to answer additional questions you have
about dental sealants. Please contact our office
with your inquiries or to schedule an appointment
for a consultation. http//discoverydentalwa.co
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