Dental Sealants for Adults: Yay or Nay?
Taking good care of your teeth affects everything from your self-esteem to overall health. Everyone should brush and floss their teeth twice daily, but even these careful habits may not be quite enough. Dental sealants for adults, in addition to other expert preventative dental care by Drs. Dalesandro in Tucson, help people everywhere enjoy excellent oral health.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants use a white or transparent resin layer to protect your teeth from tooth decay. The protective coating fills in and smooths over natural pits and grooves in your teeth, keeping harmful germs and acidic foods and drinks from damaging the tooth surface. Because most dental caries, a.k.a cavities, develop in your back molar teeth, these teeth benefit most from dental sealants.
Children have historically received this sealant over their permanent teeth as a shield against dental cavities as they age. However, many dentists now recommend dental sealants for adults, leading to better natural dental health and fewer expensive dental procedures. With dental sealants, people of all ages can expect to enjoy fewer issues with the chewing surfaces of their molars
Who Benefits From Dental Sealants for Adults?
Any adult wanting to protect their teeth and improve their oral health benefits from dental sealants. Over the years, your molars develop grooves, pits, and chips as your jaws change your natural bite pattern. Dental sealants smooth those spots over and prevent them from incurring further damage.
Dental sealants for adults reduce tooth decay by up to 80% when applied before dental caries set in. Teeth developing mild lesions, natural wear, or other obvious signs of tooth enamel damage can also benefit from dental sealant application.
How Are Dental Sealants Applied?
First, your dentist will clean your teeth and apply an acidic solution to the chewing surfaces of your molars. This solution eats away at the top layer of teeth, creating a rough surface for a stronger bond. Next, your dentist will brush a layer of sealant resin over the prepared areas.
Finally, a curing light hardens the resin, helping the dental sealant bond to your tooth surface. Once completed, you can hit the road with your newly sealed, stronger teeth. Applying dental sealants produces no pain, takes only a few minutes to complete, and allows you the freedom to eat and drink as usual right after your visit.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
Dental sealants for adults protect your permanent teeth for as long as 15 years. The actual length of effectiveness depends on how well you treat your teeth after your sealant application. Bad habits like chewing on ice, hard foods, or chewy sweets break down the resin over time.
Are You Ready To Improve Your Oral Health?
Preventing dental caries, cavities, and other tooth decay starts with a visit to Drs. Dalesandro in Tucson. Our dental professionals can help you determine whether dental sealants for adults suit you.
Looking for other ways to protect your teeth? Learn more about the importance of flossing.