Importance of Dental Sealants in Columbia MO

Importance of Dental Sealants in Columbia MO

May 01, 2020

The only perfect way to keep up with an excellent smile is to ensure you never have a cavity. This, therefore, translates to proactive measures to protect your teeth from any infection. This way, you will never have to require dental treatment to treat your teeth. That said, it does not mean that you can perfectly achieve this without the help of a dentist in Columbia MO. A dentist will help a lot in your journey of maintaining a perfect smile. Technically even without a dental problem, there are different ways that a dentist will help you, including dental sealants.

What Are Dental Sealants?

They are dental resources used to protect teeth from damage. Tooth sealants are largely used in pediatric dentistry, to help them prevent tooth damage. The material used in sealant creation is a thin plastic-like coating, that is then applied to the rough surfaces of teeth. This, therefore, means that dental sealants are used in preventive dentistry, which majors in proactive measures for dental health. Are the oral sealants necessary? Do they work? Read on to find out more about the uses of dental sealants in dental care.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

Sealants work by creating a layer of protection over the surfaces of teeth. This layer acts to protect the natural tooth from damage that occurs over-time. Dental sealants cover the chewing surfaces of teeth, more so, the back teeth. The logic is that the back teeth have deep pits and depressions that easily trap food residues. Without proper attention to detail, the food residues can settle too long, leading to plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance that features a combination of acids, saliva, bacteria, and food residue. It is the main component responsible for tooth decay.

One of the reasons why dental sealants are used for children is that children are more prone to cavities. The cavity-prone ages are between 6-14 years old. However, dentistry has proven that even adults largely benefit from dental sealants.

Are Dental Sealants Necessary?

Anyone with healthy teeth would think they do not require any dental treatment. While this may be true, there is nothing wrong with a little maintenance, aided by a dental expert. At any given point, you could have an infection in your oral cavity that could threaten your entire dental health. The infection, in teeth treatment, can have a myriad of solutions, depending on which area is ailing. For example, gum disease is treated differently from dental decay, even though both may be caused by plaque buildup.

All that said, it may be necessary to have dental sealants. The only way to acknowledge this fact is by understanding the importance of sealants in oral cavities. Some of the benefits thereof include the following:

  • Preventing infection – the back teeth in your mouth have a lesser chance of getting infected after sealants are installed. The layer of protection is the barrier for infection to get into your tooth.
  • Fighting cavities – dental cavities begin when plaque hides in the pits of teeth surfaces. Since the sealant material fills the pits properly, bacteria and plaque have no chance of settling in your teeth. In the long run, you will also be fighting against dental decay.
  • Improved oral hygiene – how you brush and floss your teeth determines how clean your mouth is. However, with the help of sealants, you can excel in oral hygiene. For one, it makes cleaning your teeth easier, since the pits are covered. Removing food residues from your teeth is, therefore, easier and more thorough with dental sealants in place.
  • Painless procedure – if you are usually anxious about dental procedures, then dental sealants are fit for you. The procedure is painless, meaning there is no need for local anesthesia or any other sedation. The procedure is also non-invasive, which also benefits the conservative patients.
  • Quick procedure – this is among those dental procedures that can be performed on the go. The only requirements are that the sealant bonds with the depressions and pits in your back teeth. This can be done quickly and swiftly, within the first dental appointment.
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