Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings that bond to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. They are good at preventing tooth decay and cavities in these back teeth. The reason is they quickly bond into the grooves of these teeth. They form a shield over the enamel of each tooth.

How Well Do Sealants Work?

Brushing and flossing can help you remove food particles and plaque from teeth. However, the back teeth can be hard to reach. They also have nooks and crannies where your brush may not effectively remove food and plaque. 

Sealants will protect these vulnerable areas by acting as a physical barrier to food and plaque. They last for several years before you need a reapplication.

Likely Candidates for Sealants

The obvious candidates for dental sealants are children and adolescents. However, adults can also benefit from the procedure. Remember to keep up with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. They will help you keep your dental sealants going for a long time. So, who makes a good candidate for dental sealants?

Children and Adolescents

Children and adolescents are more likely to develop tooth decay and cavities. These form in the grooves and depressions of their premolars and molars. Sealants help prevent these, ensuring that their teeth can last for longer. You can get your child dental sealants as soon as their back teeth grow. They will protect them through the cavity-prone ages of six to 14.

You may also need to put sealants on your child’s baby teeth. Baby teeth are crucial in holding the correct spacing for the permanent teeth. When your child loses them too early, the permanent teeth may overcrowd as others grow and fill the free space they find next to them.

Adults With Their Natural Permanent Teeth

Adults can adopt a healthy oral hygiene routine involving their molars and premolars. However, a healthy oral hygiene routine may not always work. To avoid the risk of slacking and getting tooth decay and cavities, you can get dental sealants. 

With age, exposure to tooth decay and cavities increases. The chemistry of your saliva and its protective quality also changes with time and medication. Having dental sealants will help you add a layer of protection to your teeth. It will prevent their loss as you age, allowing you to keep your permanent teeth well into your sunset years.

Adults Without Implants or Restoration Teeth

If you have an implant or restoration tooth, it will not benefit from getting a sealant. Although these teeth may discolor, they are not prone to decay and cavities. Hence, there is no need to waste dental sealants on them. But if you have permanent teeth, dental sealant will prevent their loss through tooth decay and cavities.

Adults Without Fillings and Tooth Decay

Tooth decay in adult teeth may require drilling to know its extent and remove it. The drilling compromises the natural structure of the tooth. It results in a lifetime cost of maintaining and restoring the tooth. Sealants will not help in this case, as they may fall out, chip, or wear away. 
 

The best alternative is filling the tooth. Filling teeth also compromises their structure. Hence, sealants will not help in these situations. They work best with your natural and permanent teeth.

To know who is a candidate for sealants, visit Smile On Dental at our office in Marina del Rey, California. You can also call (310) 822-0202 today to book an appointment.