How Effective Are Dental Sealants at Preventing Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay can cause serious oral health problems if left untreated. Fortunately, dentists in Waterford, MI, have an effective preventive tool – dental sealants. Sealants are thin, plastic coatings that are attached to the chewing surfaces of teeth to keep away the cavities. They create a protective barrier and fill in the natural pits and grooves on teeth, where bacteria and food particles can get accumulated and lead to decay. In this article, we’ll explore how dental sealants work and how effectively they prevent tooth decay.

What Causes Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay occurs when acids from bacteria and food interact with your tooth enamel. Bacteria like streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli thrive on the sugars in your foods. When you eat sugary or starchy foods and drinks, these bacteria produce acids. This can dissolve tooth enamel and cause cavities over time. The chewing surfaces of back teeth have lots of pits and fissures that provide the perfect place for food and bacteria to accumulate if not cleaned properly. These areas are most prone to decay.

How Do Sealants Prevent Decay?

Dental sealants are a barrier that keeps food particles and bacteria out of those vulnerable pits and grooves. The sealant flows into the irregularities on the tooth surface and hardens. This creates a smooth, sealed surface that can be easily cleaned away with regular brushing and flossing. With the hiding places eliminated, your teeth become more resistant to decay. Sealants also contain fluoride, which further strengthens enamel.

Sealants are most effective when they are fixed right after the permanent molars erupt, between ages 6 to 14. The earlier sealants are applied, the higher the success rate because new tooth surfaces are easier to seal before plaque builds up. However, sealants can be applied at any age and still be beneficial. Your dentist near you will check for sealants during routine dental exams and reapply them as needed. Sealants last about 5 to 10 years before reapplication is recommended.

The Preventive Power of Sealants

When properly applied and maintained, dental sealants effectively reduce the cases of cavities in children and teens.

According to the American Dental Association, sealants can reduce decay by nearly 80% in molars two years after placement. After 10 years, sealants still reduce cavities by nearly 60%.

A 2014 evidence review published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that sealants resulted in a 76% reduction in decay after one year and a 60% reduction after four to five years in children compared to no sealant application.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, school going kids without sealants suffer at least three times more cavities than those with sealants.

In a study conducted by the Journal of the American Dental Association in 2015, it was shown that dental sealants prevented 80% of cavities after three years among the high-risk children from lower-income group families.

These findings demonstrate that sealants in Waterford are a simple yet highly effective cavity prevention strategy. Getting sealants applied soon after molars erupt and maintaining them routinely will optimize decay protection.

How Are Sealants Applied?

The process of getting dental sealants in Waterford, MI, is fast and painless:

• Your dentist will first clean and dry each tooth surface that will be sealed.
• They will then etch the surface with an acidic gel to roughen it slightly and help the sealant adhere properly. This etching takes about 30 seconds and may feel temporarily sensitive.
• The tooth is rinsed and dried again.
• Your dentist then “paints” the liquid sealant onto the etched surface, where it flows into all the grooves and pits. A special curing light hardens the sealant in about 30 seconds.
• Your bite will be properly checked, and if needed, the necessary adjustments will be made to the sealant.
• Total treatment time is usually less than 10 minutes per tooth.

Sealants are thin, clear, or opaque white, blending with your teeth’ natural color. You will be allowed eat and drink as usual right after the appointment. Regular brushing and flossing will be easier and more effective on the smooth, sealed surface.

Maintaining Dental Sealants Over Time

Sealants in 48329 require minimal maintenance but do need to be monitored. Your Waterford dentist will check them at your 6-month cleanings and reapply the sealant if any wear or breakdown is detected. Avoiding hard, sticky, and crunchy foods can help prevent fracturing or dislodging the sealant material. Using a toothbrush with soft bristles and proper brushing technique is important, too. Flossing daily and getting professional cleanings every 6 months will enable your dentist to prolong the protective benefits of your sealants.

While dental sealants are extremely effective at preventing cavities, their success relies on periodic reapplication and your oral hygiene routine. Be sure to follow your Waterford dentist’s recommendations for dental visits and daily care to gain the most protection from tooth decay. Protecting your children’s teeth with sealants at a young age is one of the best investments you can make in their lifetime of oral health.

Ready to Prevent Cavities with Dental Sealants?

If your child needs sealants or it’s time for sealant reapplication, contact The Waterford Dentist today to schedule an appointment. Our proficient dentists facilitate dental sealants in Waterford, MI, for children and adults hoping for better cavity prevention. Call us now or connect with our online booking tool to reserve your visit. Protect your teeth from decay with proven dental sealants.