Dental Sealants are incredibly useful for combating the development of tooth decay. However, they are commonly used to manage dental issues in children and young adults. This begs the question: Can Dental Sealants work for adults? Does it follow the same procedure? Some of these questions are what you should ask when debating on the need for dental sealant as an adult.
What are dental sealants and what do they do?
Dental sealants prevent tooth decay by painting a thin, plastic coat on the chewing surfaces of teeth. This paint coat is used primarily on the back teeth (premolars and molars) as they are more susceptible to smaller and less detectable food particles. The sealants are bonded into the depressions and grooves of the teeth. This forms a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.
Decrease tooth decay
Sealants have the ability to last up to 10 years with proper and routine care. Replacements and routine check-ups may be necessary if chipping and wearing occur. If adults still have lingering baby teeth, sealants are the perfect solution. Any adult who wants to decrease the chances of tooth decay should opt for sealants. They are also a great form of preventative maintenance and can help you protect your teeth from any costly dental procedures in the future due to any potential bacteria buildup or plaque decay.
Prevent cavities
If an adult has cavities or any teeth showing early signs of early decay, then applying a sealant over the area can prevent further damage to your teeth. Because sealants are clear, our Lady’s Island dentist can easily keep an eye on the tooth in question to ensure the sealant is working at the proper pace. Sealants also do not contain any side effects or any form of Bisphenol A (BPA).
Combat aging
As we grow older and mature, our exposure to decay increases. The protective qualities of our gums and teeth have decreased when compared to our time as children. The biochemistry of our saliva and teeth age and change over our lives. Adults all around the world can benefit from sealants. They have proven to be safe and effective.
Enhance appearance
Not only do sealants make your brushing routine much easier, but they can also enhance your smile. When there are fewer food particles in the back crevices of your mouth, bacteria and other buildups have less chance of hiding within these nooks and crannies. This leads to fewer stains and plaque on the surface of teeth. Fewer stains and plaque buildups mean a cleaner, healthier and whiter smile!
Applying Dental Sealant
The process of applying dental sealant is easy and straightforward: The step entails thorough cleaning and drying of the tooth’s surface. Afterward, the dentist will apply a form of “acidic gel” to mildly abrade the surface of the tooth to help the sealant stick to your tooth.
After some minutes, the dental expert will wash off the gel and dry out the tooth before putting on the sealant. After applying the sealant, a blue light will be used to harden the sealant to the tooth.
Sealants Add an Extra Layer of Protection
The reason why dental sealants are so widely used is because they have plenty of benefits, not only for kids, but also for teenagers and adults. Since everyone is prone to tooth decay, anyone can use this as a proactive measure to keep their teeth in good health. Dental sealants are effective in acting as barriers against food and plaque on the grooves and depressions of tooth surfaces.
This gives no chance for bacteria to grow. Its exceptional capability to care for the tooth’s neglected areas means that that you will be free of toothaches and oral issues for a long time. Dental sealants can easily be applied by visiting our dental office in Beaufort, SC and will offer a semi-permanent solution. In fact, they can last for up to ten years given the practice of proper oral hygiene habits.
Having a dental sealant applied to the teeth can give you the peace of mind of not having food build-up on those hard to reach areas. This means dental issues caused by food residue will not occur long-term. Having an extra layer of protection against cavities and decay on its own is enough to emphasize the significance of dental sealants. Whether you are a teenager or an adult, dental sealant will give you more benefits than you can imagine. Plus, it’s come with zero side effect so it is safe to use for a person of any age.
Are there downsides?
Although sealants have advantages, they have drawbacks too. One example of such is temporary expenses. While you will be able to save money in the long run by giving your teeth a form of protection, you still need money to pay for the procedure. Sealants are also temporary and need to be replaced every 10 years.
Schedule an Appointment
There is no age limit on protection! Sealants are great for keeping teeth healthy, no matter the age of the person who has them. It is common for some adults who want to take extra care of their teeth to have sealants installed, and we think it is a good idea for many adults.
No matter your age, you are at risk for tooth decay, so any preventative measures you can take are good. Of course, it is important to consult us before deciding that you want sealants, but we will be more than happy to help you. Give us a call if you think sealants might be the right option for you. To schedule an appointment in our Lady’s Island dentist office, contact us at (843) 986-0177 or feel free to use our online appointment form.
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