Dental Sealants – What are they and why is my Dentist recommending them?
Dental sealants are a great way to prevent decay from forming in the grooves of our teeth. Teeth are formed with grooves and pits in them that can trap food and the longer these food particles stay trapped in these areas the more likely they are to develop decay.
While most of us are aware of the traditional way of cleaning our teeth ie: brushing, flossing, and mouthwash; manual plaque removal does not always work when your teeth have deep fissures in their surfaces. When this happens your Dentist may recommend dental sealants to help with the deeper, uncleanable grooves. Dentists recommend dental sealants most often when children’s permanent premolars and molars are erupting into the mouth.
Sealants require no freezing and are a thin, transparent resin painted onto the biting surface of the tooth and light cured to harden. The resin fills in the narrow grooves, decreasing your risk of decay. Sealants generally last 5-8 years before needing to be reapplied.
Dr. Shahriary can tell you at your next visit if any of your teeth should be sealed and protected, because not all teeth need sealants.
Remember to maintain regular visits to the dentist for dental examinations and professional cleanings.
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