Dental sealants, those plastic materials applied directly to the chewing surfaces of back teeth that fit into pits and fissures and are designed to prevent tooth decay, have long been associated with children and teenagers. But according to organizations like the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and the American Dental Association (ADA), sealants can also be effective tooth decay deterrents for adults.
According to the AGD, many dentists recommend and apply dental sealants to premolars and molars in their younger patients, but sealants can also protect adult teeth and seal them from decay-causing bacteria.
“It only takes a few minutes to seal each tooth and once applied [a sealant] can protect teeth from tooth decay for several years,” said Bruce DeGinder, DDS, MAGD, AGD spokesman and past president. “As long as the sealant remains intact, small food particles and cavity-causing bacteria cannot penetrate into or around a sealant. Sealant protection is reduced or lost when part or all of the bond between the tooth and the sealer is broken.”
AGD explains the dental sealant application process as follows:
1. Clean the teeth. The dentist may need to check for decay in the grooves of the teeth.
2. Roughen the chewing surfaces with an acid solution. This process will help the sealant stick to the teeth.
3. Color the sealant on the tooth. It attaches directly to the tooth and hardens.
AGD recommends that patients visit their general dentists twice a year for regular dental appointments to allow dentists to check the condition of dental sealants and reapply them when necessary.
The ADA, which also says adults can benefit from sealants, offers the following information about sealants in question-and-answer format:
How does a sealant help prevent wear?
Sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth – premolars and molars. This plastic resin bonds to the cavities and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the enamel from plaque and acids. Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of the teeth. But toothbrush bristles can’t reach deep into the grooves and grooves to extract food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing” the plate and food.
Is applying sealant a complicated process?
Sealants are easy for your dentist to apply and only take a few minutes to seal each tooth. The teeth to be sealed are cleaned. The chewing surfaces are then roughened with an acidic solution to help the sealant adhere to the tooth. The sealant is then “painted” onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden. As long as the sealant remains intact, the surface of the tooth will be protected from wear. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before needing a reapplication. During your regular dental visits, your dentist will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them when necessary.
What can be done beyond sealants?
Key ingredients to preventing tooth decay and maintaining a healthy mouth are brushing twice daily with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Clean between the teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners. eat a balanced diet and limit snacks. and visit your dentist regularly. Ask your dentist if sealants can add extra strength to your prevention program.
For more information, visit AGD online at www.agd.org and the ODA in www.ada.org.
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