When Are Dental Sealants Recommended for Adults?

What Are Dental Sealants?

They are special dental fillings that protect teeth from acids and bacteria that cause tooth decay. Dental sealants feature composites of acrylics that create barriers on teeth surfaces to bad bacteria that cause tooth cavities.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

Dental sealants are not like your traditional tooth fillings. Although they fill teeth the same way, they work differently. Sealants for teeth are only useful before cavities, or any dental damage develops. Therefore, they serve as preventive dental protocols, while traditional dental fillings are restorative materials to combat tooth decay.

A dentist will apply a tooth sealant on a tooth’s chewing surface as long as a cavity has not started developing. The sealant material is easy to apply usually painted on the tooth’s surface before hardening with lasers.

Depending on the type of dental sealant you get, the outcome will be different. Composite dental sealants are the most regular type of sealants. They are tooth-colored, meaning they match your natural tooth structure. Acrylic sealants, on the other hand, have a glass-like finish, which makes them relatively invisible. They are unique because they release fluoride on your enamel gradually.

Where Can You Get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants in Newton Falls are popularly available in pediatric dentistry. The reason is that children are the most beneficiaries of dental sealants near you, particularly during their cavity prove ages 6 to 14. Dentists in Newton Falls have treated many kids with dental sealants as a preventive measure to lower the risk of dental cavities and other teeth infections.

Can’t Adults Get Dental Sealants?

Although tooth sealants are predominant for children’s dentistry, adults too can benefit from them. At Holpuch Dental, we offer dental sealants as one of the treatment protocols for preventive dental care for adults.

When Do Adults Need Dental Sealants?

Some of the reasons that should prompt you to get dental sealants are:

• If you smoke – smokers are twice likely to suffer dental infections than non-smokers. Sealants for smokers can lower the risk of dental decay.

• Tooth sensitivity – one of the most common reasons for getting tooth sealants as an adult is tooth hypersensitivity. Hypersensitivity occurs when part of the tooth enamel wears down to expose the inner layers. You could also experience tooth sensitivity after a dental injury cracking or breaking your tooth.

• Deep pits and fissures for back teeth – during a routine dental evaluation, your dentist may recommend getting dental sealants after determining that you have deep pits. They are the depressions on teeth’ chewing surfaces, typical on molars. Some people have deeper fissures than others, predisposing them to a high risk of plaque buildup and dental cavities.

• For preventive dental care – some people are very particular about taking care of their oral health before they have any underlying problems. Adults aged 20 to 34 have more cavities in their back teeth than older ones. Therefore, you can choose to get sealants for your back teeth to decrease your chances of developing cavities.

Are Dental Sealants Worth It?

Patients who are intentional about preventive dental care do not hesitate to get tooth sealants because they know how beneficial the sealant material is to oral health. However, if you need a little more convincing, consider the following aspects of dental sealants:

• They protect your teeth for years – some types of dental sealants can last up to 10 years. The better you care for your oral cavity after getting tooth sealants, the longer they will last.
• They mind your smile’s aesthetics – you do not need to worry about unsightly conspicuous materials in your mouth. Sealants are aesthetically pleasing and hardly noticeable when you smile or laugh.
• They preserve natural teeth – you may never have to worry about tooth loss if you get dental sealants, particularly for your molars.
• They improve oral hygiene – the deep fissures of the back teeth can make it difficult to keep your teeth clean. Sealants level up your teeth to aid and encourage good oral hygiene.
• They fight dental cavities – studies show that for the first two years after getting sealants, they can prevent up to 80 percent of oral cavities. Besides, the fluoride in some types of teeth sealants strengthens teeth while increasing their resistance to acids and bacteria that cause cavities.