Tooth decay is a dental problem that can weaken teeth' structures and affect their function. It occurs when bacteria in your mouth mix with food debris, forming acids that erode the enamel. If left untreated, tooth decay could progress, leading to cavities, pain, or even tooth loss.
Dental sealants are an effective way to prevent tooth decay. They are easy to apply and act as a barrier that prevents harmful elements such as acids and bacteria from settling on teeth's vulnerable surfaces. This article covers how dental sealants help stop tooth decay.
An Overview of Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings made of special dental materials that are applied on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. The sealants are meant to adhere tightly to the enamel and seal over the tooth's grooves and fissures. They aim to stop food particles and bacteria from settling in these spots, which you may not be able to reach while brushing or flossing.
Dental sealants can be clear, white, or slightly tinted to blend seamlessly with the natural color of your teeth. The material is very light and unobtrusive, so you can speak, chew, and smile without even noticing that you have them installed.
The installation of dental sealants is simple but very effective. When applied, the sealant hardens to become a strong barrier that stops plaque or food debris from settling into the enamel’s crevices. Without this protection, these grooves can be breeding grounds for bacteria, producing acids that erode your tooth structure and cause decay.
Data from clinical studies, including information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), confirm that sealants reduce the risk of decay in molars by at least 80% in children and adolescents. Sealants also protect adults with deep grooves in their teeth, extending the life of their natural teeth. Sealants offer a low-cost, painless way to preserve your smile with regular checkups and professional application.
Materials Used to Make Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are made from either composite resin or glass ionomer materials. Composite resin is the most common material used. It is durable and has a plastic-like coating that bonds tightly to the tooth’s enamel. Glass ionomer sealants could be applied instead if you want fluoride to be released on your teeth to prevent the formation of cavities further.
Both materials are non-toxic and form an effective barrier against bacteria and food particles. Fluoride can be added to dental sealants to help strengthen teeth and protect them from decay. These sealants are tested rigorously to determine if they are safe, effective, and long-lasting.
Reasons for Using Dental Sealants to Prevent Tooth Decay
Dental sealants are a proven preventative measure that reduces the risk of cavities. It is especially beneficial if you have deep grooves and pits in your molars. They are also helpful for those who are prone to decay. Some of the reasons your dentist could recommend dental sealants include the following:
Effective Protection Against Cavities
Sealants act like a physical barrier on teeth, preventing bacteria and food particles from settling in the grooves and pits of molars and premolars. They also prevent tooth decay. Research reveals that sealants cut the risk of cavities in molars by 80%.
Cost Effective Prevention
Dental sealants are an affordable way to protect your teeth compared to the cost of filling cavities and other restorative treatments. You should apply them to your children when their premolars and molars erupt to avoid undergoing expensive procedures in the future. You can also install them while your teeth are still healthy as a preventative measure.
Non-invasive and Painless
The procedure of applying sealant is quick and painless. You do not require any drilling or replacing of a tooth. It provides a solution to improve your dental health without experiencing any discomfort.
Long-Lasting Results
Dental sealants can last up to 10 years with proper care once applied. They protect you from cavities by up to 80 percent after application for the first 2 years and up to 50 percent for up to 4 years. They can last many years if you visit the dentist’s office for regular checkups.
Beneficial for All Ages
Dental sealants are usually placed in children's molars and premolars. They can also be effective for adults at a high risk of developing tooth decay. Therefore, anyone in different age brackets can use them as a preventative measure.
Ways in which Your Dental Sealants Can Help Prevent Your Teeth from Decaying
Cavities are a common dental problem affecting children and adults, even though you maintain a strict oral hygiene routine. If cavities are not treated, they could lead to dental problems such as abscesses, continuous pain, and tooth loss. However, dental sealants can prevent decay and protect your teeth. Here is how dental sealants work to keep your smile healthy and cavity-free:
They Act as a Protector from Tooth Decay
The primary purpose of dental sealants is to shield the upper grooves and pits of your teeth. If you regularly consume candy, chocolates, and other foods high in sugar, they produce acids when they combine with oral bacteria. These acids can erode your enamel, demineralizing the teeth and making you more susceptible to developing cavities.
Dental sealants form a physical barrier over the enamel, preventing the penetration of acids, food particles, and plaque. This helps minimize or prevent decay. While proper brushing and flossing remain essential, sealants enhance your teeth's natural defenses, offering additional protection.
They Make Cleaning Teeth Easier
Premolars and molars are essential for grinding food. However, their outer structures have grooves and pits, which can be hard to clean or miss while brushing. This makes them more susceptible to cavities and decay.
If you do not brush your teeth well, the grooves can harbor food particles and bacteria, forming plaque or tartar that is hard to remove through regular brushing. You must undergo a professional dental cleaning or filling to restore your teeth.
Dental sealants help fill and level off these grooves while not changing the functionality of your teeth. This makes it easier to clean the teeth and minimizes the chances of your teeth decaying. With sealants, even hard-to-reach areas are better protected, preserving your tooth enamel and minimizing plaque buildup.
They Provide Long-Lasting Protection
Although dental sealants are not permanent, they are durable and can protect you for several years. This also depends on your oral hygiene habits. Sealants can serve you for up to 3 to 5 years. However, they could last even 10 years if you visit the dentist's office for regular checkups and maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine.
Sealants wear out after some time, exposing teeth to harmful bacteria and acids. However, reapplying the sealant could enhance tooth protection. The durability of sealants depends on their application, so the application must be done correctly.
Who Requires Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a great preventive measure for many people, including children and adults. Although most people associate sealants with pediatric dentistry, they can be used to benefit anyone who is at risk for cavities. This includes adults of any age. Those who require dental sealants include the following:
Children and Teenagers
Dental sealants are recommended mostly for children and teenagers due to their developing teeth and susceptibility to cavities as they grow. Molars and premolars appear around ages 6 and 12, and they are particularly susceptible to cavities as food particles and bacteria settle in their grooves and pits.
If dental sealants are applied after these teeth erupt, they could protect them from cavities before a child’s oral hygiene is fully developed. The CDC reports that school-aged children without sealants are almost three times more susceptible to developing cavities than those with sealants. This is why sealants are essential in maintaining long-term oral health for kids and teens. They also make cleaning teeth easier for children.
Adults at Risk of Tooth Decay
Dental sealants can also be applied to adult teeth, especially for those prone to developing tooth cavities due to their deep grooves and pits. Though you have a set oral hygiene routine by the time you become an adult, you may still be susceptible to developing cavities. This is possible if your diet contains sugar-rich foods, inadequate amounts of fluoride, and a family history of tooth decay. Dental sealants provide a protective layer; therefore, you do not need future restorative treatments.
Special Cases
People with certain medical conditions, including dry mouth (xerostomia) caused by medications and other health problems, are also good candidates for sealants. Saliva helps clean your teeth; if you do not produce enough, your teeth are more likely to decay. Dental sealants can also protect your oral health if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment or have a history of cavities.
How Dental Sealants Are Applied
Dental sealants are applied in a simple, painless way during your regular visit to the dentist. The application process takes a few minutes per tooth and consists of a series of steps a dentist takes to ensure that the sealants stick to the enamel properly. The following is the step-by-step process of applying a sealant:
Cleaning the Tooth
The first step is cleaning the tooth’s surface. This step removes plaque, debris, and food particles from the grooves and pits of the molars or premolars. The enamel is more effectively bonded to the sealant if the surface is clean.
Preparing the Tooth
Once cleaned, the dentist will put an acidic gel on the chewing surface of your tooth. The gel lightly etches into the enamel, forming a rough texture that helps the sealants bond securely. After a few seconds, the gel is rinsed off thoroughly with water.
Drying the tooth
Moisture can interfere with the bonding process, so the tooth must be dried completely. Your dentist will use an air-drying tool or a piece of cotton to isolate the tooth and keep it dry during the procedure.
Applying the Sealant
After the tooth is completely dry, the sealant material is applied over the grooves and fissures of the tooth’s surface. The sealant material is liquid at first, so it flows to the crevices of your teeth.
Hardening the Sealant
Your dentist will then use a special curing light to set the sealant, which hardens the sealant material in seconds. Once hardened, the sealant becomes a long-lasting shield against decay.
Final Check
The dentist will check your tooth to ensure the sealant is correctly bonded. If any uneven or high spots could affect your bite, your dentist will adjust them and ensure that they are a comfortable fit.
The Cost of Applying Dental Sealants
Insurance companies consider applying sealants a preventative measure, so they cover the cost for children and teenagers. Some plans may pay part of the cost for adults at risk of tooth decay.
However, you should check with your insurance provider to see what is and is not covered. Investing in sealants, especially when your children are still young or your teeth are still healthy, is much more beneficial than paying for costly and invasive treatments for tooth decay later.
Are Dental Sealants Safe?
Some parents wonder if dental sealants are a safe way to protect their child’s teeth from cavities. Understandably, they have questions about the materials used and the procedure's safety.
Fortunately, dental sealants are safe and effective for children and adults. They are made from medical-grade resin, which has been rigorously tested and used in dentistry since the 1960s. The resin used is the same composite material used for fillings; however, dental sealants are engineered to flow into the deep grooves of molars and premolars. Most modern dental sealants are BPA-free. Therefore, sealants are a safe choice for all age groups.
Dental Sealants vs. Fluoride
Fluoride and dental sealants are preventative dental measures that help fight against and prevent tooth decay. However, their functions are different. Knowing how they work and complement each other could help you adapt the best way to care for your and your child’s teeth and protect them from cavities.
How Fluoride Works
Fluoride occurs naturally in various foods and water and is present in most toothpaste and mouthwash. It works by remineralizing the damaged areas of teeth, making them less prone to acid attacks by bacteria and sugary foods. Fluoride works best on smooth surfaces of teeth. If your teeth are prone to decay, your dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment.
The Difference Between Fluoride and Dental Sealants
Fluoride protects against decay by strengthening the enamel on the entire tooth surface. Dental Sealants are used to ‘seal’ the grooves and pits where cavities form. Fluoride provides broad protection, while sealants provide targeted protection.
Do You Need Both Fluoride and Dental Sealants?
Fluoride and dental sealants work best when used together. Sealants prevent tooth decay on chewing surfaces, but fluoride protects areas that the sealants do not cover, such as the sides and roots of teeth. At the same time, sealants are additional protection for those areas most prone to cavities. Combining both fluoride and dental sealants can boost your protection, lowering your risk for cavities.
The Benefits of Installing Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a highly effective, long-lasting protective coating that prevents cavities by sealing out food particles and bacteria in the deep grooves on molars and premolars. It is a quick, painless, noninvasive procedure suitable for both children and adults.
Dental sealants are less expensive than restorative treatment. They are durable; they last between 3 and 10 years with proper care. They prevent tooth decay in children and teens who are prone to cavities. They can also be used by adults, especially those prone to tooth decay.
Sealants help improve your oral health. They also prevent you from experiencing discomfort when your teeth have cavities. They can also keep your teeth strong and healthy for many years by sealing them from bacteria and food particles that could lead to cavities.
Disadvantages of Applying Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are effective, but they have some limitations. They do not last forever; they last only 3 to 10 years. Dental sealants only protect the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars, leaving other areas open to decay.
Sealants can wear down or chip over time if you grind and chew hard food so they may need maintenance. They are not a substitute for good oral hygiene but an important preventive tool.
Find an Anaheim Dentist Near Me
A dental sealant is a proven, effective way to prevent tooth decay by keeping harmful bacteria and food particles from reaching molars and premolars. This quick, painless procedure can be done for children and adults, gives long-lasting protection, and could help you avoid expensive restorative treatments.
At Beach Dental Care Anaheim, we recommend dental sealants for children and adults. Keeping teeth cavity-free can be challenging, especially in hard-to-clean areas. Dental sealants will make cleaning easier and reduce your risk of tooth decay. If you are in Anaheim and would like to start or continue your oral health journey, visit our clinic or call us today at 714-995-4000.
