You visit your dentist on a regular basis and practice at-home care for your smile to prevent problems with your dental health. However, cavities affect a majority of people at some point in their lives. You might remember in your youth that your dentist used to recommend dental sealants for additional protection for your teeth against tooth decay.
Does this extra preventative dental treatment stop working after you reach adulthood? No, dental sealants can help keep many patients’ teeth safe from oral health concerns at any age.
Ask your dentist if sealants are a good idea to protect your smile. Read on to learn more about the preventative dentistry benefits you can experience with dental sealants.
What Do Dental Sealants Do?
A dental sealant is a type of general treatment that involves a dentist brushing a thin layer of composite resin over the teeth. It hardens to create an extra barrier of protection against oral bacteria and other harmful residues. Otherwise, they might damage your enamel, the outer layer of your teeth.
Cavities occur when bacteria penetrate weak or eroded spots of the enamel and start to eat away at the structure. A dentist can treat a cavity by drilling away the decay and giving you a filling to restore and protect the tooth.
But ideally, you should preserve the natural structure of your smile for as long as you can. One way to help you accomplish this is with dental sealants.
Can Adults Receive Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are commonly associated with pediatric dental patients. Dentists often recommend this treatment for children because young kids do not always know how to brush and floss their teeth properly. The sealants can help kids avoid forming cavities as they learn proper oral hygiene techniques.
But this treatment is not exclusive to young patients. People of all ages can benefit from the extra dental protection of sealants. If you want to know how dental sealants can help your unique smile, schedule an appointment with your dentist today.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Sealants?
A dentist might recommend dental sealants for patients who show signs of weakened tooth enamel. Once the enamel erodes, it will not regenerate, which will leave you with a vulnerable spot in your smile. Sealants can protect this exposed part of your tooth.
You can best fight cavities with proper oral hygiene. This involves brushing your teeth at least twice per day, flossing daily, and attending routine teeth cleanings at your dentist’s office. But those with risk factors for tooth decay, including aggressive oral bacteria, might want to take advantage of extra protection with dental sealants.
You can discuss your existing dental structure, medical history, and oral health goals with your dentist at your next appointment. A dentist will use a personalized approach when it comes to your dental care, offering you optimal results. Ask your dentist about more preventative dentistry tips to preserve your dental health as well.