1. Brush, Floss and Seal
Cavities declined drastically for children with the widespread use of fluoride in water and toothpaste. While brushing and flossing go a long way in the fight against tooth decay, it's often not enough. Two-thirds of the cavities found occur on chewing surfaces of the back teeth, the premolars and molars. Dentists have found that applying dental sealants can protect teeth against bacteria causing decay.
2. Apply a Barrier Against Bacteria
It's difficult for a toothbrush to adequately reach the indentations of the back teeth, but a dentist can apply the plastic resin to the pits and fissures of those teeth. The plastic resin hardens, allowing the sealant to seal the enamel of the tooth to provide an invisible barrier against plaque and decay. This process starts when the dentist applies an acid solution to the surfaces of your teeth. The rougher surface helps the sealant bond better. The dentist paints the sealant onto the tooth, sometimes using a curing light to speed the hardening. It only takes a few minutes to effectively seal the back teeth.
3. Schedule the Timing of Dental Sealants
Remember that sealant protects molars and premolars against tooth decay, so the obvious time to apply a sealant is after molars erupt. A child's first molars come in at around six years of age. The second set of molars arrives with adolescence. Dentists can protect the first molars with sealant. When the second molars arrive, they can reapply the sealant application.
4. Focus on Maintenance
Sealants don't last forever. After years of normal chewing, there's a chance that your back teeth will need a reapplication of sealant. Your dentist should check the condition of the sealant as part of your biannual check up. Remember that when sealants wear out, decay may strike these vulnerable areas.
5. Not for Kids Only
While dentists routinely recommend sealants for children and adolescents, it doesn't mean that they won't work on adults as well. Adults at risk of tooth decay should also discuss sealants with their dentist.
