Sealants
Keeping your teeth clean is no easy task. Not only can food and bacteria in your mouth form a sticky film on teeth that develops into harmful plaque and tartar over time, but certain areas can be extremely difficult to clean. Sealants can help prevent this from happening.
Hard-to-reach areas between the teeth and below the gum line are havens for tiny food particles and bacteria, as are the grooves that cover the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. This is why it’s so important to schedule regular dental visits for professional cleaning, examination, and x-rays, in addition to maintaining a strict at-home regimen of brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
If the grooves in your teeth are particularly deep and hard to clean, you may be at greater risk for cavities developing. Luckily, there is an easy solution thanks to dental sealants. What are dental sealants and why would the dental professionals at Fioritto Family Dental recommend this preventive treatment for you or your family?
What are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are comprised of plastic resin applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to create an invisible barrier that protects against the buildup of plaque and tartar that can cause tooth decay. The dental professionals at Fioritto Family Dental provide this service as needed for adults and children.
The process of sealing teeth begins with an examination to determine if the tooth or teeth undergoing treatment have any existing decay. If decay is present, it must be treated before a sealant can be applied. When teeth are ready to be sealed, they will be cleaned and dried before a solution is applied to prepare the surface for optimal bonding with the sealant material.
Next, the sealant is applied to teeth in liquid form. It takes about one minute to harden, and your dental professional may use a special curing light to hasten the drying process. This procedure is quick and painless.
Benefits of Sealing Teeth
Back teeth that feature deep grooves are particularly susceptible to the formation of plaque and tartar that can weaken enamel and open the door to tooth decay. Even with strict adherence to a daily oral hygiene regimen and regular visits to the dentist for cleaning and examination, it can be difficult to prevent cavities in these hard-to-clean grooves.
Applying sealants to the chewing surfaces of back teeth fills in grooves, creating a barrier that protects against the incursion of food particles and bacteria that lead to plaque and tartar buildup. In short, you’re far less likely to develop cavities or other tooth decay in back teeth when you opt to apply recommended sealants.
If you’re interested in dental sealants or other dental services, contact the caring and experienced dental professionals at Fioritto Family Dental today at 440-951-5511 or online to learn more and schedule an appointment.