Brushing and flossing form the foundation of good oral health. However, it is easy to miss your back teeth (your molars and premolars) when you brush, or to spend too little time brushing them. Additionally, the chewing surfaces of your teeth come equipped with tiny ridges called cusps, that help chew your food before you swallow it. Those cusps also create extra places for food particles, bacteria and plaque to hide, where they can cause cavities.
To deal with this problem, our dentist, Dr. Purvesh Malaviya may suggest using sealants to protect your back teeth. Dental sealants are nothing more than thin layers of resin painted on your molars and premolars, that form a protective barrier between your tooth enamel and the materials that cause tooth decay. The dentist will wash and dry the tooth and then apply a very mild acidic solution which will help the sealant to adhere to your tooth.
After the sealant has been painted on, it will be cured with a special light. Your sealant should last about 10 years before it needs to be reapplied. Because they are more cavity-prone than adults, they are usually the ones who receive sealants, although in some cases, adults can benefit from them as well.
If you would like to find out if your children or another member of your family could benefit from dental sealants, we would love to see you! If you live in the city, state area and would like to schedule an appointment for a consultation at Creative Dental Group, call 508-990-9900 today.
