03 Feb 2015 Dental Sealants and Preventing Tooth Decay
Once a person has all of the baby teeth fall out and the adult teeth grow in, the expectation is that their will last the lifetime of the individual. That may be the ideal goal, but it is rarely a reality. It is estimated that almost everyone will have lost at least one if not more of their teeth by the time they are 50. There are plenty of reasons that a person can lose their teeth.
- Teeth may have to be removed because they are causing problems for the other teeth in the mouth.
- Teeth can be lost due to injury or accident
- Teeth can be lost due to tooth decay
It is not always easy to prevent the loss of teeth from the first two reasons. If you have pain as the result of the way the teeth are shaped or the size of the teeth, removing them may be the best option. Accidents can happen and no one plans on losing a tooth that way. Tooth decay is a different story. If people take care of their teeth properly, they can prevent tooth decay from ever occurring. There are some basics that everyone is aware of from a young age that can help keep teeth healthy.
- Brushing
- Flossing
- Regular professional cleanings
- Regular checkups with the dentist
There is another way that people can prevent tooth decay. They can turn to dental sealants. Not everyone is aware of what dental sealants are, where they get them from or what they will do.
What are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a thin plastic coating “painted” on the tops of the . It is painted on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. That usually means it is applied to the pre-molars and the molars. There sealant is able to bind to the teeth and it covers the depressions of the teeth. The result is a tooth that has a protective covering over it that can keep out anything that will damage the teeth.
Brushing and flossing is designed to remove the surface stains and debris on a tooth. It cannot always get into the cracks and crevices in the tooth. The enamel will break down over time and particles can get into the cracks and openings that develop. The sealant can keep this from happening.
Sealants are often best used on young people that have had their adult teeth grow in or are growing in and that are more cavity prone. It can also be an effective tool for an adult that wants to offer their teeth the best protection.
The sealant can last up to 10 years, although that will vary. It will depend on how well the sealant is applied and how well a person takes care of their teeth. The procedure is commonly done by a dentist or a hygienist. It can be covered by insurance.
To learn more about dental sealants in Salt Lake City, it is best to talk to a dentist. The dentist should take the time to explain what they will do and what it will do for the individual. It is worth taking the time to talk to your Salt Lake City dentist or to find one to learn more about this procedure.