Brushing, flossing, and getting regular cleanings and checkups are some of the most important things you can do for your teeth. But if you have deep grooves and fissures in your teeth, your at-home brushing may not be doing enough to get your teeth truly free of buildup. This bacteria build up, along with acids, are what cause your teeth to decay.
Adding an Extra Measure of Protection
To add an extra layer of protection to your teeth, our Clinton Township dental office recommends dental sealants. Sealants make tooth surfaces smoother and easier to clean while keeping bacteria from forming in the crevices. While dental sealants are routinely applied to children’s teeth, they can – and often should – be applied to adult teeth as well. And because sealants last for several years (unless you tend to grind or clench your teeth) the protection will be long lasting.
What Are Sealants?
Our dental sealants are made of a safe, effective, tooth-colored plastic that is brushed directly onto your tooth’s chewing surfaces. This plastic coating hardens and fits into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of teeth protecting them from debris and decay.
How Sealants Are Applied?
We start by making sure your teeth are free of decay and then thoroughly clean each tooth. Once the teeth are clean, we will gently roughen the chewing surfaces with an acid solution. This does not damage your teeth – it simply gives your teeth a little “grip” for the sealants to stick to. We will then apply the sealant directly to your tooth in an application process very similar to painting. We then cure the plastic sealant with a hardening light. The process is quick, easy, and painless and each tooth only takes a minute or two to seal.
If you would like to add a little more protection to your dental routine, talk to Dr. Alex or Sophia Masters about the benefits of dental sealants, or schedule an appointment with our Clinton Township dental office.