You’ve probably heard of dental sealants, but you may not know the difference
between a sealant and a filling. Or you may have sealants in your mouth but
might not even know what a great job they are doing for your oral health around the clock! So this month, we’re demystifying the dental sealant and its important role in prevention of tooth decay.
How Early Cavities Form
All teeth have a coating of bacteria on the surface called plaque. When this
plaque comes in contact with sugars in food or drinks, the bacteria produce
acid that can break down the tooth structure, and causing cavities.
Developing Cavities
Cavities can develop on any natural tooth in the mouth, as early as the first tooth breaks through the gums. Aspects of Western society such as the food we eat, the medication we take, and our oral hygiene at home have all contributed to cavities being a rampant problem in our world.
The large permanent molars (or the “big teeth” in the back of the mouth) are especially prone to developing cavities on the chewing surface, because these chewing surfaces have natural pits and grooves. These surfaces can more easily trap food and plaque, creating a space for cavities to develop.
Preventing Cavities
Brushing your teeth twice per day with a fluoride toothpaste is a good way to reduce the risk of cavities, but the bristles of your brush can’t reach between teeth or deep into the pits and grooves on molars. When we can’t remove everything from pits and grooves, plaque builds up deep inside, creating an environment that is prone to cavity.
So, What Do Sealants Have to Do With It?
A sealant is a flowable resin coating that Dr. Messina or Rachel can paint over pits and grooves in the surfaces of teeth so that deep areas no longer trap plaque. When plaque can’t become trapped deep in the chewing surface of the tooth, cavities are much less likely to form. In fact, sealants have been shown to prevent the incidence of tooth decay in molars by almost 80% in the first 2 years after placement.
Sealants provide a smooth surface and cover the pits and grooves, forming a “shield” to block deep aspects of the tooth chewing surface from the build-up of food and plaque. Well-placed sealants in our practice can offer protection against chewing surface cavities for a number of years.
How Are Sealants Placed?
Before applying the sealant, Dr. Messina or Rachel will clean the chewing surface of the tooth and treat it so that the sealant will stay in place. We then flow a thin layer of sealant material into clean pits and grooves, then use a light to cure the material in place.
Ask Your Dental Team!
When you visit Dr. Messina's practice, you can ask any member of our team about dental sealants and if you might be a good candidate for them. This quick, painless procedure can easily be accomplished after your routine dental cleaning at our practice, and protects your teeth for years to come. Want to know more about sealants? Ask Dr. Messina or our team at your next visit!
We write a blog post every month to keep our patients and our community updated on important dental topics, so be sure to check back here often! And don't forget: we love your questions! We welcome discussion of these blog topics or anything you're curious about. Our patient family is the best part of our practice, and we are grateful for you!