You can protect your teeth from decay and damage by taking preventive measures and save yourself unnecessary pain and long trips to the dentist. Avoiding damage through good dental hygiene and preventive methods is most effective for warding off decay that leads to dental problems in the long run.
Pit and fissure sealants are the best solution to counter tooth decay and enjoy optimal oral health without worrying about cavities and gum diseases. Sealants are a tried and tested method of protecting teeth from decay in a safe and painless manner. At Notting Hill Dental Clinic, we have expert dentists as well as the most advanced clinical techniques to make the sealant process easy and quick for you to enjoy stronger and lasting teeth.
When we talk about dental pit and fissures, it refers to the grooves of teeth. A pit is a small depression on the surface of the tooth while fissures are the grooves that occur on the biting surfaces of teeth. These pits and fissures occur naturally and can be deep or hollow depending on your teeth condition and age.
The pits and fissures in the teeth help us bite, chew and grind food properly but they are also more likely to collect food particles that cause tooth decay and the grooves and hollows accelerate plaque and tartar buildup. These bacteria are difficult to remove with regular oral hygiene as toothbrush bristles and floss cannot reach these hollows and grooves. It becomes necessary to take proper measures and prevent tooth damage that can reduce the lifespan of the tooth.
Sealants save teeth by getting bonded onto these grooves and hollows and form a protective shield over the enamel, stopping bacterial growth and cavities. Dentists mostly recommend sealants for children as their permanent tooth come in so that their teeth remain healthy and free of all bacterial infection as they mature and don’t suffer from dental problems in later stage of life.
Sealants coat and seal the grooves and hollows that prevent even the most harmful of bacteria from getting deposit on the tooth. These sealants are mostly used on molars and premolars at the back of the mouth as these teeth have irregular inner surfaces that are tough to clean and prone to buildup of acid and toxins that leads to decay.
The sealant is applied to the biting surface of the back teeth as a protective plastic coating where it forms a hard shield and keeps the bacteria from causing any damage. Dentists also recommend sealing molars and premolars as they have pits and fissures on their biting surface and need protection. The good thing about these sealants is that they provide complete protection to the pits and fissures in the tooth without affecting your bite, chew or causing any damage to the enamel.
The sealant process is quick and straightforward and does not cause any pain. The dentist will examine your mouth carefully and determine which teeth have deep pits and fissures and require sealing. The specified teeth are thoroughly cleaned, prepared with a special solution and dried after which the liquid sealant is applied. It only takes a few minutes to seal each tooth and the liquid is allowed to set hard to bond to the enamel. Depending on the type of sealant, the dentist may use a strong light to activate bonding and hardening of the sealant.
It is important for you to give enough time to dentist to apply the sealant properly for good retention and long term benefits. The longer the sealant remains intact, the longer your teeth will be protected from decay.
Sealants do not require any special care but it is important to brush and floss your teeth regularly to avoid tooth decay. They can last up to 10 years if you take good care of them and maintain good oral hygiene.
Make sure to visit the dentist after every 6 months so that the dentist can monitor how well the sealant is working and if it needs reapplication as it can wear off with passage of time and usage.
If you have questions about dental sealants and want to know if they are the right choice for you or your child, contact Notting Hill Dental Clinic now as sealants are an excellent solution to prevent cavities and enjoy natural teeth for a long time. Our expert dentist will explain the process in detail and help you understand how this might be the best preventative option for you.
22 Pembridge Road
Notting Hill Gate
Central London
W11 3HL
0207 727 4795
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