What Are Dental Sealants?
Everyone has hard-to-reach areas in their mouth, areas where a toothbrush might not reach and cannot always be fully cleaned. Of course, this means that those areas are at increased risk for tooth decay. The naturally occurring deep grooves and pits on the surface of your teeth are some of those areas for almost everyone.
A dental sealant is a plastic resin that bonds to the deep grooves in your tooth’s chewing surface. When sealing a tooth, the grooves of your teeth are filled, and the tooth surface becomes smoother and less likely to harbor plaque. Sealants on your teeth make brushing easier and a more effective defense against tooth decay.
Sealants are usually applied to children’s permanent teeth as they fully erupt, however, adult teeth can also be sealed. While it is more common to seal “permanent” teeth rather than “baby” teeth, every person has unique needs, and there are situations where sealants on a baby tooth might be recommended.
Dental sealants generally last from three to five years. However, it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact from their childhood. A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact, so if your sealant comes off, please let us know right away.
For more information on how dental sealants can protect the health of your smile, we welcome your call at 360-876-0445 or visit to Fisher Distinctive Dentistry in Port Orchard, Washington, where Dr. Devin Fisher and Dr. Zack Bergevin look forward to helping you maintain a healthy smile!