Dental caries should be managed as an infectious disease by assessing risk factors; avoiding operative intervention as far as possible.
The chewing surfaces of the teeth have tiny grooves, known as fissures where food can get stuck and where it is hard to clean. Thorough brushing and flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of teeth, but toothbrushes can't reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract all food and plaque. While fluoride helps prevent decay and helps protect all the surfaces of the teeth, dental sealants add extra protection for the grooved and pitted areas.
Sealants act like raincoats for your teeth. When the cavity-causing bacteria that live in everyone’s mouth meet leftover food particles, they produce acids that can create holes in teeth. These holes are cavities. After sealant has been applied it keeps those bits of food out and stops bacteria and acid from settling on your teeth—just like a raincoat keeps you clean and dry during a storm. The decay will not spread, because it is sealed off from its food and germ supply.
There are several benefits to using sealants, including that they:
· take a few minutes to apply
· do not cause pain
· do not need injections
· do not need to be drilled
· do not dissolve in saliva and are safe.
Having sealants put on teeth before they decay will also save time and money in the long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth.
Dental sealants are a quick, easy, and relatively cheap (as opposed to the dentist bills you’ll accumulate for root canals) solution for preventing cavities. Kids are notoriously bad brushers and tend to ignore the problem areas in the back of the mouth that lead to cavities and decay, making them ideal recipient for sealants. Dental sealants can be clear, white or have a slight tint depending upon the dental sealant used. Dental sealants can last many years. If necessary, it is also possible to place a new dental sealant on the tooth. Dental sealants only protect the surface area that they are placed on. Sealants can also be used over areas of early decay to prevent further damage to your tooth.
