When you’re young, your dentist keeps a close eye on your teeth: their shape, the direction in which they’re growing, any sign of wear or tear. That’s because your teeth are still growing in, and are at a greater risk of damage and shifting.
But what about adults? Of course, your dentist can and will address anything that doesn’t look quite right in your teeth and take note of anything that comes up during your regular check-up. For adults who are at a greater risk of caries or tooth decay, your dentist may recommend dental sealants.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants and fillings are often confused for one another. Dental sealants are applied to the teeth as a preventive measure, mostly in children, to protect the teeth from decay. Fillings, on the other hand, act as intervention applied to the teeth after they’re damaged to stop and repair tooth decay.
Adults with significant tooth damage and decay are not good candidates for sealants, but if you’re someone who is concerned about the health of your teeth but have good oral health overall, sealants are a relatively inexpensive solution that can put your mind at ease and protect your teeth.
Sealants act as a cover on the tooth. Dental caries happen when food debris and plaque get into cracks and damaged areas in the tooth. Sealants prevent those cracks from happening in the first place.
Do Sealants Hurt?
Sealants are painless – no dental anxiety here! The process of receiving dental sealants is relatively easy and quick, and it’s all topical. Your dentist will first thoroughly clean the tooth or teeth you plan to receive sealants on. Then, your tooth will be dried and the top texturized to make sure the sealant stays attached to the tooth.
The tooth is cleaned again to get rid of any debris, then your dentist will paint the sealant onto your tooth. Certain sealants bond directly to the tooth and others cure using a light. Sealants typically last around 10 years, so you can feel comfortable knowing you invested in a long-lasting and reliable prevention method, keeping your teeth protected from damage for years to come.
Keep Your Teeth Protected
If you have good dental health but you’re concerned about future tooth damage and want to protect your pearly whites, dental sealants are a great choice. Teeth with sealants are indistinguishable from teeth without sealants, and you don’t need to treat your teeth with sealants any differently than you would your all-natural teeth.
If you have questions about dental sealants, want to know if sealants are right for you, or are interested in scheduling an appointment for dental sealants in Scripps Ranch, we can help. To book an appointment with Dr. Ramin Goshtasbi at Oasis Dental Arts, please call (858) 271-1010 today.