Cavities are a very common dental health problem, especially in children. The molars and premolars in the back of the mouth are most susceptible to tooth decay because they have many depressions and grooves which make cleaning difficult. But you can protect these teeth with a dental sealant.
What Is A Dental Sealant?
A dental sealant is a thin coating of plastic resin painted onto the chewing surface of molars and premolars. This barrier seals out food, plaque, and acids from these teeth, protecting the depressions (pits) and grooves (fissures) by covering them.
Sealants are inexpensive, have white or clear coloring, and can last for several years. Anyone can get a dental sealant, though it is highly recommended for children since they are more likely to develop cavities in the back of the mouth. Though you still need to brush and floss your teeth like normal, a dental sealant can do a lot of good at protecting your teeth.
How Is A Dental Sealant Applied?
Applying a dental sealant takes only a few minutes. Your dentist can apply the sealant by:
- Cleaning and drying the teeth.
- Roughening the chewing surface of the teeth by applying an acidic solution to them (for bonding purposes).
- Cleaning and drying the teeth again.
- Painting the sealant onto teeth.
- Hardening the sealant with a dental curing light.