Sometimes, molars need a little more protection than tooth enamel to prevent them from developing decay. In these circumstances, patients can talk to their dentist about dental sealants, a form of preventive dental care offered at Downtown Dental in Los Angeles, CA, for children and cavity-prone adults.
How Do Dental Sealants Work?
Even if you brush your teeth thoroughly and take good care of them, some people are more susceptible to developing cavities. Children, in particular, are not known for the best oral health care efforts and frequently suffer from tooth decay in their molars. Adding dental sealants to newly erupted adult teeth is intended to prevent problems before they start, especially in teeth that are particularly grooved and ridged and catch particles in their depths.
Besides guarding against bacteria and plaque, the application of dental sealants works in the following ways:
- Target the back molars which are the hardest to reach and clean thoroughly.
- Create a smooth surface that fully protects tooth enamel.
- Act as an extra layer of protection for a tooth that has gotten a composite filling.
What Is The Dental Sealant Process?
The application of a dental sealant is a fast, non-invasive measure of cavity prevention that happens in one dental visit. Even anxious kids quickly realize how easy this procedure is. Here is how the process typically works:
- Tooth preparation: The tooth is isolated, dried completely, and the surface is roughened. These efforts allow for complete adherence of the sealant. Sealants are often recommended after a teeth cleaning.
- Sealant application: Sealants are white or clear so they blend into a tooth and are difficult to see. The liquid material used is a plastic, thin, non-toxic resin painted over the chewing surface.
- Bonding time: A special light is focused on the sealant to harden it in place and create a protective barrier on the tooth.
Are Dental Sealants Suitable for Children and Adults?
With good at-home oral hygiene efforts and visits to the dentist every six months for an exam and teeth cleaning, sealants can last for a decade or longer. They can also be reapplied if they break apart or are no longer doing their job effectively.
Ultimately, sealants are cost-effective and minimize the chances of pain developing because of an invasion of bacteria, plaque, and food particles. Whether you have children or are an adult who gets too many cavities, consider the following benefits of sealants:
- Significant reduction in tooth decay.
- Reduced need for tooth-colored fillings and crowns.
- Lowers the chance of developing toothaches.
- Appropriate preventive measure for any age.
If you or your kids develop multiple cavities, discuss with your Los Angeles dentist whether dental sealants are a viable preventive option to address this problem.
What Are the Best Practices for Teeth with Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are an excellent form of preventive dental care, but they work best in combination with conscientious oral hygiene efforts. Keep the following in mind so you can protect your sealants and your oral health:
- Do not eat too many sweet, gummy, or hard candies and other foods.
- Brush and floss normally every day.
- Work on improving oral hygiene efforts for effective brushing and flossing.
- Sealants do not take the place of excellent oral hygiene techniques.
- It’s still necessary to brush the sealed teeth to keep them clean and healthy.
- Teach your kids the importance of prioritizing oral health.
Ready to Discuss Sealants with Your Los Angeles Dentist?
Dentists often recommend sealants for kids as soon as their permanent molars erupt fully above the surface of the gum line. Adults who find themselves dealing with cavity after cavity in their molars may want to consider dental sealants to improve their oral health. If one or two teeth are particularly problematic, a porcelain crown may be a better choice for protecting the enamel.
Schedule an appointment at Downtown Dental in Los Angeles to learn more about sealants—the preventive care that’s right for your oral health.
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![Dr. Don Mungcal]()
Dr. Don Mungcal
With over 28 years of experience and service, Dr. Mungcal makes it his responsibility to be the best version of himself by being his patients’ go-to point for any and all dental concerns. In addition to being meticulous in his work ethic, he is also an individual who understands development and change. He updates and informs himself constantly through various continuous educational programs that he undertakes. He also invests in the latest state-of-the-art technology to provide world-class dental services.
Dr. Mungcal graduated from UCLA and the University of the Pacific Dental School and is presently a member of several acclaimed medical associations, including the California Dental Society.
