One of the mind-bending things about the human body is that the sturdiest part is not your bones but your teeth. Fascinating, right? The glossy white part of your teeth, which we refer to as enamel, consists of over 96% mineral. With such incredible strength, you might easily assume that they are indestructible.
If your mind gravitates towards them being indestructible, then you are bound to be cavalier about caring for them, making them susceptible to decay. That is why dental sealants in San Antonio are essential.
Dental sealants are an excellent addition to your arsenal as you fight off tooth decay daily. They offer extra protection, which ensures that food debris doesn’t get stuck on your teeth, thus preventing tooth decay.
What Are Dental Sealants and How Do They Work?
Dental sealants have been around for over a century and have protected countless smiles. It may seem like new technology, but the art of applying them and the materials used have come a long way.
In a nutshell, tooth sealants are thin, resin (plastic) coatings that our dentist in San Antonio, TX, paints over the chewing surfaces of your back teeth.
Your back teeth have pits and fissures that create the perfect hiding spot for food debris, which can be hard to remove even with proper oral hygiene. If this happens, bacteria can feast on the food debris, which is bad for your teeth since digestion produces acids that erode the enamel.
These acids’ continual attack over time causes cavities (holes). Losing your enamel doesn’t happen overnight, but getting dental caries is inevitable when you don’t properly care for your teeth. What’s worse is your enamel will never grow back. So once you get cavities, that portion of your tooth is gone.
That’s why tooth sealants are vital because they offer a protective covering for your teeth, especially your back teeth. After the dental sealant is placed on your back teeth, it keeps the food out from the pits and fissures on your teeth. Thus, bacteria will not have food debris to digest, and the acids will not settle on your teeth, keeping your teeth cavity-free.
Did you know that tooth sealants can protect your teeth against 80% of cavities for the initial two years and 50 % for four years?
The Importance of Dental Sealants in Preventing Tooth Decay
Your teeth are exposed to harmful bacteria each day. Therefore, you lose some of your enamel every time you eat and drink. However, foods rich in calcium, fluoride and phosphorous help remineralize the enamel. Also, brushing using fluoridated toothpaste helps restore the lost minerals.
Cavities come about when the rate at which your teeth lose minerals is much faster than the rate of replacing them.
Your back teeth are more prone to tooth decay since they have spaces that the bristles of your toothbrush cannot reach. Therefore, bacteria will have an easy time destroying your teeth. However, tooth sealants ensure that your back teeth are protected.
Tooth decay subtly destroys teeth. You will not feel any pain, especially in the initial stages. By the time you start feeling pain, the cavity has reached the dentin or pulp, which means you must undergo a root canal.
That’s why you need dental sealants to help reduce the risk of getting cavities. What’s more, dental caries are a leading cause of tooth loss, not only in children but also in adults.
Who Can Benefit From Dental Sealants?
Anyone can benefit from this wonderful way of protecting your teeth against cavities. However, you must chat with our dentist near you to determine if it’s your best move.
Getting dental sealants earlier on is much better; this is why it is recommended for kids to protect their teeth from cavities during their cavity-prone years, which is from six to 12.
You might think adults might not benefit from this treatment since they are grown up. But you are wrong! Adults can also benefit from using dental sealants. Our dentist will examine your lifestyle and teeth and determine whether you are at risk of developing caries.
Also, dental sealants are not the best option when you already have cavities since they worsen the situation.
In a nutshell, sealants are best when you are at risk of getting cavities, or you have sensitive teeth.
If you desire to protect your pearly whites from cavities, contact us at Terrell Hills Dental to schedule an appointment.