General dentistry – West Melbourne
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants can provide a great benefit for Melbourne family dental patients who have a high risk of decay due to deep grooves and pits or enamel erosion in the biting surfaces of the teeth. The application procedure is non-invasive, easy, and can provide a barrier for bacteria to prevent cavities.
WHAT IS A DENTAL SEALANT?
Oral bacteria excrete acid as a result of their digestive process. So, each time the microbes feast on particles of carbohydrates that have been left in your mouth, acid is released. The acid causes your teeth to decay by dissolving your tooth enamel.
Plaque, food and bacteria that settle in the grooves of the teeth are in direct content with your enamel, so any acid released is barely diluted by your saliva. As a result, it is highly concentrated and more damaging. You may not be able to fully avoid your teeth’s exposure to bacterial acid, but you can protect them using dental sealants.
Teeth in the back of your mouth have the deepest grooves and often incur more cavities.
The back teeth, which are known as molars, are quite different from your other teeth. The biting surfaces are designed to enable you to chew your food into pieces that are small enough to swallow. They are equipped with cuspids that meet in grooves.
For some people, these grooves and pits where the cuspids meet are very deep and difficult to clean. These areas are highly susceptible to tooth decay because food particles and harmful bacteria can become stuck and may be very difficult to remove. If food particles and bacteria are allowed to remain on a tooth for a long period, the tooth can develop a cavity and decay. For dental patients with deep grooves and pits, an application of dental sealants is a perfect solution.
Benefits of Sealants:
Helps Prevent Cavities
Dental sealants create a protective barrier over the deep grooves of molars, helping keep food particles and bacteria from causing tooth decay.
Protects Hard-to-Reach Areas
Back teeth have tiny pits and fissures that can be difficult to clean with a toothbrush. Sealants cover these areas, making them less vulnerable to cavities.
Quick and Painless Application
Applying dental sealants is a simple, non-invasive procedure that requires no drilling or numbing. Most children can have sealants placed in just one visit.
Provides Long-Lasting Protection
With regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene, sealants can protect teeth for several years, reducing the need for future restorative treatments.
Should I Consider Dental Sealants?
Get Started Today!
If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, make sure that you discuss dental sealants with your Melbourne, Florida dentist at your next dental appointment. She can confirm that a dental sealant application is the best option for you.