5 Things You Should Know About Dental Sealants

Tooth decay is a severe problem that has led to many people losing their teeth. Statistics show that old age is no longer the number one cause of missing teeth. Even governments worldwide add fluoride to the water to fight against tooth decay.

What if there was also another way to protect your teeth from tooth decay? As a matter of fact, there is. At Smile Bright Dental Studio, we have dental sealants known to protect your teeth from tooth decay and erosion.

Our dentist in Fulshear, TX, provides dental sealants to patients who want to keep their teeth cavity-free. Dental sealants are typically given to kids since they are learning proper dental hygiene and are, therefore, more prone to cavities.

Sealants are a great way of protecting the teeth. We recommend this treatment to all patients who want to ensure their teeth stay healthy for a long time.

Without further ado, let’s see what makes sealants unique and what you should know before getting this preventive treatment.

• Patients of All Ages Can Get Sealants

Our dentist in Fulshear, TX, recommends that patients receive sealants as early as they can. When your baby’s teeth erupt, you can bring him or her to get sealants to protect their teeth from cavities and infections.

If you have older kids, you can use sealants to protect their teeth against the corrosive acids in sugary foods and drinks. Adults can also benefit from this protective treatment, especially if you don’t have cavities and are at risk of getting them.

• Sealants Can Help Prevent Dental Cavities

A sealant is made from transparent acrylic resin. This thin acrylic resin is typically applied to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. This is done because these teeth have deep pits and fissures that can be challenging to clean, making them the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

When our dentist applies the liquid sealant on your teeth, it hardens into a durable coating, thus resisting food and acids from getting stuck in the fissures and pits. In other words, bacteria will not have food, reducing the odds of getting tooth decay or periodontal disease.

• Sealants Are Durable and Offer Long-Lasting Protection

Sealants are fashioned from acrylic resin, which is applied in liquid form and then hardens after application. When it sets, it can provide enamel protection for several years. In fact, two years after application, they can prevent over 80 percent of cavities. It can also stop over 50 percent of cavities four years after application.

Also, when you come in for your dental visits, our dentist can check on the sealants’ condition to ascertain whether they have remained intact or not. If necessary, our dentist can apply a fresh coat of sealant.

• Sealants Can Be Applied Quickly

The application process is quick and painless. It is also a non-invasive procedure. However, it may take some time if your teeth need treatment for decay. Then, our dentist will clean your mouth and isolate any areas that are receiving the sealant by using absorbent padding to keep your teeth dry.

After that, our dentist will roughen the surface of your teeth by applying a gel. This is done to ensure that the sealants adhere as it should. When the gel is removed, the sealant will be applied and then cured under blue light to help it harden. And just like that, your teeth are protected.

• Sealants Are Safe

The acrylic resin that makes the sealants contains a substance known as bisphenol A (BPA). This is known to be harmful if you are overexposed to it. However, after research was done, the BPA levels found in sealants are too little ever to cause harm to anyone. Research has revealed that the air we ordinarily breathe contains 100 times more BPA than what you would be exposed to if you use sealants.

If you want to protect your teeth or your child’s teeth from tooth decay, sealants are a great way to start. Contact our dentist in Fulshear, TX, at Smile Bright Dental Studio, to schedule an appointment. You can also visit our dental clinic if you are living in Mustang Trail Lane, Pine Hills Drive, Cedar Elm Lane, Cross Pointe Court, Westheimer Lakes North Drive, Canyon Fields Drive, Candela Heights Drive, Skyline Drive, and nearby communities.