Everyone grows up understanding the importance of looking after their teeth. However, even if you diligently brush and floss your teeth each day and regularly visit a dentist in West Roxbury, you can still develop cavities and tooth decay. This fact seems frustrating, but luckily, our team at Nine One Dental has a solution. With dental sealants near you, you can protect yourself even further from the pain and frustration associated with tooth decay.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are used to protect the surfaces of molars from decay-causing bacteria. These are usually applied to the biting surfaces of teeth, and they work to seal out plaque and food debris and prevent them from becoming trapped in the deep ridges and crevices of your teeth.
How Are Dental Sealants Placed?
When you visit our dentist near you for dental sealants, the process will begin with our dentist cleaning your teeth to remove any residing plaque, bacteria, and food particles. Next, they will dry your teeth and apply an acid solution to roughen their surfaces. This allows the material to bond properly to the tooth. Finally, our dentist will paint on the sealants and harden them using an ultraviolet light. The entire process takes about twenty minutes and causes no pain.
Are Dental Sealants Safe?
Many individuals wonder if dental sealants in West Roxbury are entirely safe, specifically because this procedure is often performed on children. The biggest concern when it comes to the safety of dental sealants is BPA content. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical compound that is commonly found in plastics. Generally, a large amount of this compound is considered to be harmful to our health.
Since dental sealants are made of plastic, they do contain some traces of BPA. However, the exposure to the compound is very minimal and well within the safety standards set out by medical professionals. If you are very concerned about exposure to BPA, make sure that you voice these concerns to your dentist.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Dental Sealants?
Just like all dental restorations, dental sealants come with their own set of benefits and drawbacks. The main advantage of dental sealants is that they are a quick and painless way to fight tooth decay. They also make it easier for you to clean your teeth, as they make a smooth chewing surface that a toothbrush can easily pass over.
Some of the drawbacks of dental sealants include that they are not very durable and will need to be replaced every five years or less. As well, if your dentist does not do an adequate job of removing the debris and bacteria before sealing your tooth, they can accidentally seal this bacteria in, leading to tooth decay.
Interested in Dental Sealants?
If you are good at maintaining an excellent oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing but still can’t seem to avoid cavities and tooth decay, then it may be a good idea to speak to your dentist about dental sealants. At Nine One Dental, we are happy to provide our patients with dental sealants to ensure that they maintain optimal oral health for years to come. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of dedicated dental professionals to book your appointment today.