Protection:
One of the Major Benefits of Dental Sealants
Pits and fissure sealants as we now know them have been around since the 1960s and since then, the benefits of dental sealants have greatly improved.
Dental sealants are a thin plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of your teeth (typically your back molars) to help prevent the build-up of acids and bacteria that can lead to tooth decay.
The purpose of the dental sealants is to prevent cavities by creating a smooth surface across the pits and fissures of our teeth. These pits and fissures are hard areas to keep clean and can easily accumulate food and plaque build up.
The concept of dental sealants was first introduced in the early 1900s. Since then, the benefits of dental sealants, plus the art of applying them and the dental sealant materials used, all have come a long way.
Today dental sealants for a child are especially recommended, as well as for teenagers who are at a higher risk of tooth decay, particularly in their new adult molar teeth.
In this article, our Ontario dentists at Country Dental discuss six important benefits of dental sealants including:
- Protection Against Plaque and Foods
- Applying Dental Sealants is Pain Free
- Added Support for Your Oral Care
- Effective for Up to 10 Years
- Easy to Repair and Maintain
- Can Be Covered by Your Dental Insurance
Protective Shield Against Plaque and Foods
One of the main benefits of dental sealants is that it can work around the clock to protect the enamel of your teeth. Dental sealants offer protective coverage to keep plaque and food from building up in the hard to reach places in your back molars. By sealing the pits and fissures in your teeth, sealants help prevent more serious oral health issues such as cavities, root canals, or the need for crowns.
Pain Free Application
The application of dental sealants is virtually painless. When applying dental sealants, your dentist simply uses a brush to apply a liquid resin onto the biting surface of each tooth. It takes only a few seconds for the resin to dry and then the teeth can be rinsed. The procedure is quick and painless and one of the greatest benefits of dental sealants.
Added Support for Your Oral Care Routine
Even with the most meticulous teeth brushing and flossing routine, you may not be able to get into all the cracks and crevices of your back teeth. Dental sealants work to keep out potential harmful foods and plaque that are hard to reach, and quite difficult to remove simply by brushing and flossing.
Dental Sealants Are Long Lasting
One of the more common questions that our Country Dental dentists get asked is, “How long do dental sealants last?” Dentals sealants can offer protection against cavities for as long as 5 to 10 years. Your dentist will check the condition and care of your dental sealants during your regularly annual or semi-annual dental check-up. Over time, dental sealants can become worn or chipped and would need to be assessed.
Easy Repair and Maintenance of Dental Sealants
One of the greatest benefits of dental sealants is that should they become worn or chipped, the problem can be addressed quite easily. Your dentist will simply add more sealant, as necessary, to ensure proper protection against cavities and tooth decay.
Dental Sealants Are Often Covered by Insurance
Since dental sealants offer excellent protection against cavities, many health insurance providers will cover the cost of dental sealants. Check your personal insurance coverage or ask us about Country Dental’s financing options through PayBright to help offset the costs of any of your dental treatment plans.
Check out our dental sealants page to learn more including who should get dental sealants, how dental sealants are applied to teeth, and how long dental sealants last.
For more information or to book an appointment, please call our Country Dental dentist at:
Fergus ON: 519-787-7878
If this is something you think you or your child may need:
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The Canadian Dental Association offers additional information in their Dental Sealants FAQ.
You might also like any of these related articles:
- Best Minerals and Vitamins for Healthy Teeth & Gums
- Toothache Causes, Symptoms & Remedies
- 11 Good Oral Hygiene Tips for Young Children
Mouthhealthy.org also has more detailed information about How to Seal Out Tooth Decay with Dental Sealants.
