Dental Sealants
Spring Hill, FL
 While you probably have no trouble brushing and flossing your front teeth, you are not alone if you struggle to reach your back teeth and molars. Maybe you have found this to be a concern, or maybe you figured it did not matter since nobody sees that part of your mouth anyway. We are here to share with you that there is a solution to keeping the unseen parts of your mouth in tip-top shape.
These teeth are important parts of your overall health and satisfaction, so do not forget to care for them. Dental sealants ensure your back molars get the protection from harmful bacteria they need. Dental sealants prevent all sorts of potential problems with the back molars. The Center for Disease Control found children without dental sealants to be three times more likely to get a cavity, which is why we recommend them here at DeLuca, Ressel, & Congemi Dental Care.
What Is a Dental Sealant?
A dental sealant is a transparent seal, or a secure covering made from biocompatible plastic materials. It is applied by hand to your tooth’s surface. Dental sealants perform the same overall task as regular brushing and flossing, removing food particles and plaque build-up. What makes dental sealants necessary, however, is that they do the work on the teeth you cannot easily brush and floss.
Dental sealants are applied to the grooves of the premolars and molars. The sealant blocks out food to prevent bacteria and plaque buildup. Not only are the back teeth at a higher risk for cavities and decay because they are hard to reach, but they also have deep grooves your front teeth do not have. These grooves and gaps make food particles easily settle in your teeth while chewing. Dental sealants greatly reduce the amount of food getting stuck in the back of your mouth by acting as a shield.
How Are Dental Sealants Applied?
Both our dentist and hygienist are eligible to apply sealants. The procedure begins by drying off the teeth after a good cleaning. Then an acidic solution will be applied to roughen the tooth, allowing the sealant to better stick and hold to your tooth. After being rinsed and dried again the tooth is ready to receive the actual sealant. The sealant is painted directly on your teeth and a special light helps the sealant harden onto your tooth.
How Do I Get Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants can be applied during a routine cleaning and will last up to 10 years. The process is quick, painless, and does not require anything extra such as anesthesia. It is a perfectly safe procedure. Most recipients of dental sealants are children over six, or whenever they grow their first molars, however, even adults with healthy molars are often eligible for sealants. Discuss with our hygienist if you should receive sealants during your next cleaning.
DeLuca, Ressel, & Congemi Dental Care is serious about your oral health. Please contact us today at (352) 666-9898 for more information on how you can take the next step in taking care of your smile. |
