The Amazing Benefits of Dental Sealants

Feb 01, 2021

Safeguarding and protecting your oral health should be a top priority. Doing so is the only way to ensure that your teeth last as long as possible and to rule out the need for teeth replacement options in the future.

Dental issues or problems such as tooth decay, enamel erosion, and cavities affect our teeth’s structural integrity significantly and, as such, leave us predisposed to long-term side effects like tooth loss.

The best way to stay ahead of these dental issues is by practicing preventive dental techniques. Our skilled dentist Dr. Terrie Cribbs is a firm believer of this and constantly advocates to our patients the importance of preventive dentistry in safeguarding and protecting their oral health.

There are several preventive dentistry procedures we offer at our dental clinic and among these is the application of dental sealants in Knoxville, TN.

Dental sealants are an excellent way of safeguarding your oral health because they are designed to protect your teeth against enamel erosion, cavities, and tooth decay. Let’s take a detailed look into how dental sealants work.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

A dental sealant also referred to as a molar sealant, is a thin plastic coating that is applied onto the molars’ and premolars’ chewing surfaces to act as a protective coating for these teeth.

Dental sealants are applied to the molars and premolars in the form of a liquid. This liquid permeates the tooth fissure or groove on the back tooth’s surface and solidifies, forming a protective layer, which prevents tooth decay and enamel erosion.

Brushing and flossing your teeth is an effective way of dealing with plaque buildup that leads to tooth decay and cavity formation. However, it is often quite challenging to access the back teeth during oral hygiene sessions, making them susceptible to dental caries. This is why sealants are applied on these back teeth to effectively offer a protective barrier against cavities, enamel erosion, and tooth decay.

Dental sealants are generally given to children and teenagers, and you will find this service available when you visit our kids’ dentist near you. However, adults who are susceptible to tooth decay can also get a dental sealant.

Benefits of Sealants

You might be wondering why you or your loved ones should look into getting a molar sealant.

Here are a few benefits that may highlight the importance of this preventive dental procedure:

Saves Time and Money In the Future

Sealants help safeguard teeth against cavities. Getting a sealant will ensure that you do not have to spend time and money in the future for corrective treatments trying to treat or remedy cavities.

Corrective treatments for cavities do not come at a low price and will often require undergoing touch-ups every once in a while. This means that you will have to spend a lot of time and money at a dental office trying to restore your teeth’s structural integrity.

Prevents Future Oral Health Complications

Tooth decay can escalate into more complex dental health issues in the future. This is because it interferes with the tooth’s structural integrity and functionality. Tooth decay and cavities make teeth susceptible to dental health issues such as broken or chipped off teeth.

These dental issues not only affect your teeth but can also leave you more vulnerable to periodontal diseases and other gum infections. Getting a sealant can protect you and your loved ones against these dental complications.

Helps You Avoid Unnecessary Pain

If you have ever had a cavity before, you know how painful it can get. The resulting toothache or a tooth pain that occurs due to a cavity or enamel erosion can cause you to have sleepless nights. Apart from this, cavities can lead to unnecessary dental extractions in the future.

Sealants protect your vulnerable back teeth, ensuring that you do not get to go through any of these painful scenarios in the future. This is the reason why it is a fantastic option, particularly if you currently have no fillings or cavities or if you have a child and want to protect their overall dental health.

Using dental sealants alongside other preventive dental procedures such as regular dental exams and professional dental cleanings can go a long way in protecting your oral health.

Back to Blog