Sealants
A sealant is a plastic type material that is applied to the chewing service of the tooth. This plastic type material attaches to grooves and pits on your back teeth. They act as a barrier protecting your teeth from plaque and acids that damage your teeth. Thurough brushing and flossing can get the plaque causing bacteria and acids off you teeth, the toothbrush bristles can't reach all the way to the bottom of the grooves and pits. The sealants are another way to protect the teeth, especially in young children. They may not brush as well or for as long as they should. The sealant seals the tooth from the plaque and acid helping it to be healthy. The sealants are easy to apply, and only takes a few minutes. The tooth is first cleaned, then it is roughened with an special acid solution to help the sealant adhere to the tooth. Then the sealant material is painted on the tooth. As long as the sealant material is on the tooth, the tooth is protected from decay. The sealant will hold up with normal eating and chewing and will last for several years. Your dentist will check the sealants at your regular visits to make sure they are doing good and still protecting the teeth.
