There are many things you can do to maintain good oral health such as attending regular dental check-ups at your local dental clinic, brushing and flossing every day and being aware of the food you eat and their impact on your teeth.
Even if you brush and floss thoroughly
There are certain tooth types that can be very difficult to clean because of the pits and grooves in them. The molars and premolars are particularly hard to clean and when they are not cleaned properly, it can lead to build-up of bacteria in these areas contributing to tooth decay. To prevent this, fissure sealants can be used. These sealants act as a protective barrier for the tooth surface. You can visit the Berwick dentist to find more information on fissure sealants.
These are basically a protective coating applied to the chewing surface of the teeth. This is generally applied to the molars and premolars. Fissure sealants are made of resin material and they will match the colour of your tooth. These sealants will bond to the surface of your tooth so that the deep grooves and pits in the molars and premolars can be sealed off. This will prevent food particles from getting stuck in the grooves leading to accumulation of bacteria.
When fissure sealants are applied to your teeth?
It will create a smooth surface on top of it which is easy to clean. This is a great way to protect the vulnerable areas of your teeth. Generally, fissure sealants are applied to teeth as early as after their eruption. The tooth has to be fully emerged to apply this. And this is a great way of providing early protection to teeth. Ideal candidates for this are children ranging between the ages of six and fourteen.
They are also more susceptible to tooth decay. However, this can also be done for adults that have a lot of deep grooves in their molars and premolars without any signs of tooth decay. The application process is quick and painless. The tooth will be cleaned thoroughly in order to prepare it for the application. Here, any plaque or debris will be removed from the surface of the tooth. After cleaning, the tooth is dried and the chewing surface will be coated with an acidic gel.
The acidic gel
Is used to create a rough texture on the tooth surface so that it allows for better sealant adherence. The tooth will be rinsed and dried again so that the fissure sealant can be applied to the chewing surface. This is actually a very thin coating and it will be hardened with a curing light. Once the sealant is bonded to the tooth, it will act as a protective barrier against tooth decay.
As mentioned in this article, the main reason for applying fissure sealants is to prevent decay. And it also allows you to maintain your teeth easily as the sealant will prevent food from getting stuck inside deep grooves. The process is non-invasive so there is no damage done to the tooth structure. You can simply have this procedure completed in one visit to the dentist.
