A Protective Barrier Against Decay: The Impact of Dental Sealants on Oral Health

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Dental sealants offered by the family dentist in El Centro, CA, are sought-after preventive dental treatments due to their ability to prevent or halt tooth decay, a common oral issue affecting millions worldwide. Neglecting mild decay can result in severe tooth damage, adversely affecting oral health.

Thankfully, preventive measures like dental sealants help prevent the development or advancement of oral diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease. Let’s delve deeper into the world of dental sealants and how they serve as protective barriers against tooth decay.

Dental Sealants: Sealants are defined as thin, transparent varnish that is applied on the occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth, namely the premolars and the molars. The sealants are in a liquid form, which, when applied, can effectively settle into the deep pits and grooves of the teeth, sealing them completely.

Indications for dental sealants

Dental sealants are widely used by dentists to treat the following conditions:

Pits and fissures of deciduous and permanent teeth
Incipient carious lesions in children, adolescents, and adults
Pits and grooves of permanent teeth in adults
People with an increased risk of caries
Teeth that are inaccessible to regular brushing and flossing

The application of dental sealants

Applying dental sealants is simple and a painless procedure. It usually takes 2 to 3 minutes for the dentist to apply sealant to each tooth. Your dentist will:

Clean the teeth thoroughly
Air dry your mouth and place a rubber dam, or a piece of gauze in the area to keep your teeth free from moisture
Paint or coat a small amount of acid etching solution on the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of your teeth to roughen them up. This aids in good mechanical interlocking if the sealant to the tooth surface
Rinse and dry your teeth
Paint the sealant onto your enamel to bond it directly to the tooth.
Shine or target a curing light on the sealant material to harden it.

Significant benefits of dental sealants

Here are a few incredible benefits sealants offer. They :

Protect against plaque and food buildup
Are suitable for all ages
Prevent the development of cavities
Reduce deep grooves
Offer a quick and painless application
Are long-lasting (last up to 10 years)
Are easy to repair and maintain them
Are super affordable
Reduce the need for invasive dental treatments in the future

Dental sealants prove to be remarkably effective and economical preventive solutions, forming a protective barrier against harmful bacteria that contribute to oral diseases. By significantly decreasing the likelihood of conditions such as cavities, they foster excellent oral health and safeguard both your teeth and gums.