Myths about Dental Sealants: Learn the Truths
Sealants together with systemic and topical fluoride offer maximum protection from tooth decay. The plastic coatings in dental sealants deny food debris and bacteria entry in the pit and crevices of the teeth preventing tooth decay.
Dental sealant is a clear plastic coating that is placed on chewing surfaces of molars to form a preventive barrier that shields them from acid and plaque to prevent cavities.
Application of sealants is made when the tooth has fully erupted. Adults and children can get dental sealant in SW, Portland, as a preventive measure.
Why Are Sealants Applied on Premolars or Molars?
Premolars and molars are located at the far end of the mouth, making them difficult to clean. Brushing and flossing hardly clean out the grooves at the back of teeth. In addition, it’s hard for the toothbrush bristles to clean out the food debris because the teeth are packed tightly. Reasons like those make premolars and molars a target for bacteria attack and acid. The bacteria breed on them and finally eats through the enamel resulting in cavities.
Do you live in Portland and are seeking dental sealant near you? Then, you can schedule an appointment with Serene Dental.
Application of Sealants
The following are steps on how a Multnomah Village dentist performs the procedure:
- Cleans the teeth thoroughly
- Use cotton or alternative absorbent material to dry the teeth
- Put an acid solution on your teeth
- Rinse and dry the teeth
- Paint the sealant on the tooth enamel; it will bond to the tooth and harden.
Myths About Sealants
Myth 1: Dental Sealants leak
Sealants will not leak if you are using the proper technique and ensuring that there are no voids after curing.
Dental sealants require touch-ups from time to time. This is because they are placed on the teeth with the most roles, making them experience wear and tear.
Myth 2: Teeth can decay underneath the sealant
When sealants are correctly applied, they prevent decay. They prevent food debris and bacteria from getting in the teeth’ fissures, pits, and grooves.
After applying sealant, the tooth acquires a smooth surface that is easier to maintain and clean.
Myth 3: Caries will grow if you seal in decay
Sealants can halt the decay process if the carious lesion isn’t cavitated. Caries that result from bacteria require fuel to thrive and survive; They get fuel from the drinks and foods we take in. When bacteria have no access to this fuel, the process stops.
Therefore, early decay can’t develop into a cavity.
Myth 4: Sealants don’t last
When applied correctly, sealants can last for 5 to 10 years. However, sometimes they chip, fall off, or wear down, and that is because they are put on molars that experience more wear and tear compared to other teeth.
It’s easy to replace or repair sealants, and it’s important to go for sealant checks regularly at a dentist’s office near you. This helps to make sure that your caries protection has no gaps.
Myth 5: Sealants are time-consuming and hard to apply
Applying sealants is a simple process that only takes few minutes. Just like any other procedure choosing the right dental sealant material is important.
Our dentist in SW, Portland, can offer patients effective protection against carries easily, quickly, and painlessly by applying sealants more often.
Myth 6: Sealants appear awkward on teeth
Some people have worries that they may look funny with sealants. They make assumptions that their teeth will appear unpleasant due to the coatings. Dental sealants are invisible, and they bond quickly on your teeth, preserving the total aesthetics of your smile.
What to Expect After the Procedure?
You can drink and eat anything you please after the completion of your teeth sealing. At first, you may feel odd, but after a couple of days, you will hardly notice the sealants on your molars.
Sealing your teeth does not need significant changes in the diet. However, your dentist may recommend avoiding sticky and hard foods because they can damage your dental work.
Caring for Sealants
Once the sealant bonds to the tooth, it doesn’t interfere with chewing, eating, talking, smiling, playing a musical ornament, or singing.
Make sure your kid brushes two times a day with fluoride toothpaste and visit the dentist twice a year for regular dental checkups. This will ensure the sealants last longer.
Hard, chewy, or sticky foods can make sealants break, chip, or fall off. Avoid eating foods like jawbreakers, ice, gummy candy, fruit snacks, toffee, and caramel.