No one likes cavities. Fortunately, prevention is made even easier with the application of . These thin, colorless coatings are painlessly brushed onto the chewing surface of your back molars by our Ada, MI, dentists to “seal out” decay from entering in through fine grooves on the top of the tooth.
In the same way umbrellas and raincoats shield us from the rain, sealants shield your molars from incoming food particles and cavity-causing decay. To apply the thin plastic coatings, we’ll first clean and dry the tooth/teeth due for the sealant. A special acidic gel is then placed on each tooth which will roughen the surface and ensure a strong bond is formed between the tooth and sealant. After a few moments, the gel is rinsed off, the tooth is dried, and the sealant is applied over top of your tooth’s grooves. A special blue light is then used to fully harden the sealant. The whole procedure shouldn’t take more than a few minutes per tooth.
Like with anything, sealants last longer when you take care of them, or more importantly, the teeth they’re on. That means brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing once daily, and receiving a teeth cleaning twice a year. Limiting how much you consume sugary foods and drinks can also help. When proper attention is paid to your sealants and teeth, they can last for years. If they become worn or fall out, give our Ada dental office a call and we can reapply them for you.
Many patients think you have to be a child to qualify for sealants. This isn’t true. While children are the target audience for sealants due to the increased likelihood of decay developing in the premolars, adults can receive them as well. Sometimes adults can have back molars that are predisposed to cavity formation. This is all thanks to those pits and grooves found on top. If you have more and they’re deep enough, our dentists will suggest sealants. It’s also best if you do not currently have any fillings or decay in these teeth.
If you’re prone to developing cavities or you want your child(ren) to have extra protection, ask our , about having sealants applied. This quick and painless process is always better than dealing with fillings down the road. To request an appointment, call Norman Family Dentistry today at (616) 676-9177.
© 2024 Norman Family Dentistry
