Decay is the biggest enemy when it comes to taking care of your teeth, and children are not the only part of the population at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 90 percent of adults over the age of 20 have dealt with at least one cavity. While dental sealants in Woodbury, MN are often thought of as preventative measures only for children, these treatments can work well for certain adults.
What Are Dental Sealants? – A Closer Look
Dental sealants are a preventative layer of material that gets applied to certain areas of the tooth that may be prone to cavities. To install a sealant, the dentist will clean the at-risk tooth, apply a light etching solution, and then paint the sealant on in the liquid form. Once the sealant has cured, you can’t feel it or tell it is in place. However, the protection provided can be profound.
Who Needs Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are good for patients of just about all ages who:
- Have teeth that have more natural pits, crevices, and fissures than usual
- Have ongoing problems with decay on certain teeth
- Are concerned about preventing decay on their teeth
For the most part, the sealants are most effective when the tooth is in generally good condition. For example, if you already have a cavity, this will have to be treated before a sealant can be installed.
How Long Do Sealants Protect Your Teeth?
Sealants offer superior protection for the teeth for quite a long time. Most offer 80 percent protection for around 24 months and 50 percent protection for as long as four years. The sealants are most effective immediately after they are installed, and as they wear away, the efficacy of the protection gradually declines. The sealants can be reapplied once they start to break down to prolong the protection for as long as possible.
Talk to a Woodbury, MN Dentist About Sealants
Tooth sealants are just one of many ways that Woodbury dentists can help adults protect their oral health. Are you interested in dental sealants for your teeth? Reach out to the team at Woodlane Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule your appointment.
