Guidelines You Should Follow Before Taking Dental Sealant Treatment

When you are going for dental sealant treatment, there are some guidelines you should follow for utmost safety.
Dental cavities are one of the most common oral issues affecting both kids, teenagers, and adults. Cavities or dental caries can be defined as the permanently damaged hard areas on your teeth surface that grows into tiny holes or openings. What you eat and the level of oral hygiene that you uphold are some of the factors that influence the development of cavities.

If one develops cavities and fails to go to a dental clinic for treatment, the cavities will get larger and spread to the deeper layers in your teeth. If this happens, chances are you may develop a tooth infection, severe toothache, or possibly tooth loss.

Taking your kid to a pediatric dentist near you for a dental sealant procedure, regular oral exams, and professional cleaning is the best protection you can offer that child against tooth decay and cavities. Kids First Dental in Roanoke is a dental clinic that offers quality dental sealants for kids and adults. Our kid’s dentist in Roanoke, VA, 24018, has years of experience in dental practice and also knows how to handle kids with special needs.

Why Dental Sealants Are Worth Trying

Although it’s true sealants are a great option, people who will benefit the most from them are patients aged between five and thirteen. At this age is when permanent teeth begin to grow. Getting dental sealants helps to protect the newly developed dental structures from dental decay. An adult whose family has a history of dental caries should consider getting sealants to protect his/her teeth from harmful oral bacteria.

According to Dr. Cristelle Rodriguez, a dental professional in Roanoke, failure to get dental sealants puts you at risk of suffering extensive dental damage that may cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars to restore. One thing that has led to the increase in popularity of teeth sealants is their efficiency. Research conducted by dental experts has shown that properly installed dental sealants will 100 % protect dental surfaces from getting cavities. This means that once your tooth sealant is installed, your tooth is guaranteed protection against tooth decay.

Dental Sealant Procedure

The process of sealing tooth gaps with dental sealants is easy, quick, and painless. Below are the basic steps your dentist will take:

• First, your dental practitioner will look for any grooves at the back of your teeth with the help of a dental tool known as an explorer.
• Next, your dentist will thoroughly clean each tooth that is sealed. Sometimes, during this process, a drill may be used to open up teeth grooves to see if there is tooth decay.
• To improve how well the sealant will stick to your teeth, your dentist will roughen your chewing surfaces using an acidic solution.
• Afterward, the rinsing and drying of your teeth will follow.
• After ensuring your teeth are completely dry, your dentist will then apply a sealant on every tooth, getting sealed with the help of a brush.
• A special light is used to harden the sealant. This, however, will depend on the type of dental sealant used.

What to Expect After the Procedure?

If you had taken your child to get sealants at a kid’s dental clinic near you, rest assured that there will be no diet restrictions. People who have just had dental sealants are allowed to eat and drink whatever they desire. It will, however, take some time for one to get used to the odd feeling in the mouth. Although sealants do not have strict diet restrictions, patients who have just had the procedure are advised to avoid all sticky, chewy, and hard foods like ice, chewing gum, popcorn, gummy bears, licorice, taffy, jawbreakers, caramel, snickers, skittles, croutons, and starburst.

Before going for a sealant treatment, you should know that dental sealants won’t last forever as they have a longevity duration of ten years maximum. It would be best if you also were prepared to have regular visits to your dentist’s dental office for check-ups and other necessary dental procedures. During these appointments, your dental practitioner will be checking the condition of your sealants. If he finds one that is damaged or chipped, he will replace it to ensure your teeth remain protected against decay. Patients are encouraged to maintain a proper daily dental hygiene practice to ensure the sealants remain 100% effective.