A dental sealant is a plastic coating a dentist, such as Dental O So Gentle will put on molars and premolars to protect them from decay. You use your molars and premolars for chewing, but each tooth has tiny fissures, or grooves, that even the most oral health-savvy person can have trouble cleaning.
Often, the fissures are smaller than a single brush bristle, meaning that bacteria acid from plaque can make its way into the enamel and cause cavities without you ever doing anything wrong. While toothpaste and water with fluoride can prevent decay and protect the surfaces of your teeth, dental sealants can too. What’s more, they smooth out those grooves in your teeth to reduce the risk of any acid getting into them.
When Do You Get Dental Sealants?
A dentist will usually place dental sealants on your first permanent molar as soon as it erupts through your gum’s surface. These teeth continue to grow, even as you reach around 11 or 12 years of age. While they usually only go on your chewing surface teeth, your dentist may also look at other baby teeth if they have grooves or pits too. It depends on the dentist and patient to determine the best course of action.
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