Categories: Dental Sealants

When Dental Sealant May be Recommended for an Adult

A dental sealant is an applied resin that seals the grooves of a tooth, preventing decay from occurring and ultimately saving the tooth from needing to be pulled or filled with a crown. While children most commonly receive sealants, there are times when they may be beneficial to adults. Read on to learn more about sealants and if you may need one for your oral health care routine.

What is dental sealant?

A dental sealant is a type of tooth-colored plastic that’s applied to your teeth to help prevent decay. The most common location for sealants is on your molars or back teeth. If left untreated, cavities can cause permanent damage to your adult teeth—which is why it’s important to take care of them. Talk with your dentist about whether you should get sealants for all your adult teeth. And don’t forget that oral hygiene plays an important role in maintaining healthy teeth—so be sure to brush and floss twice each day!

When should I get one?

It’s often recommended that children and teenagers get sealants—either as part of regular dental checkups or as preventative treatments, depending on their dentist’s recommendation. But what about adults? While it’s not uncommon for adults to get sealants, you may need to get them earlier than most people. That’s because adult teeth are more susceptible to cavities. Once you’re in your 20s, your body produces less of an enzyme called amelogenin—which breaks down sugars in food and helps prevent cavities. You might be surprised to learn that you can still benefit from one. Whether or not you’re currently in pain, getting a sealant has several benefits. As mentioned above, they help prevent cavities and can be extremely helpful if you grind your teeth (also known as bruxism). They’re also relatively inexpensive and come with little to no risk of discomfort or other adverse side effects. If you’ve been putting off getting one because you don’t think it applies to you, make sure to talk to your dentist and get your questions answered. After all, having healthy teeth is one of the most important things for any adult!

How long does it last?

The sealants are applied to children because their enamel isn’t fully developed. When they become adults, however, their teeth have fully hardened and are less vulnerable to cavities. If someone has worn down their teeth from grinding at night or has other tooth problems, they could still benefit from sealants. If you’re an adult with any concerns about your oral health or feel like you’re having trouble keeping up with your dental appointments, be sure to contact your dentist for more information about what might be best for you.

Are there any side effects?

The good news is that dental sealants are completely safe. No one will experience any noticeable side effects, although there is always some discomfort associated with dental work. Because sealants are put on during routine cleanings, you may also experience some temporary staining of your teeth if your dental hygienist accidentally gets any sealant solution onto them. If you schedule regular checkups to make sure your sealant hasn’t cracked or fallen out, you should have no problems with it.

Request an appointment here: https://cosmeticdentistrypompanobeach.com or call South Florida Smile Spa, Nicole M. Berger, DDS at (954) 395-2419 for an appointment in our Pompano Beach office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Sealants in Pompano Beach, FL.

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South Florida Smile Spa, Nicole M. Berger, DDS

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