Adults are required to take good care of their oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. In the case of cavities, dental fillings can help prevent the problem from worsening. However, it cannot completely prevent cavities. For that, Brookline dentists recommend dental sealants. It is a thin layer protecting the chewing surface of your molars.
Daily brushing and flossing can help prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar. However, certain difficult-to-reach areas in your mouth might not be cleared by a toothbrush. Food remains trapped inside and results in decay and gum diseases. If you want to get sealants for yourself, talk to a Brookline general dentist today.
How do dental sealants help?
A dental sealant is a thin coat that looks and feels like plastic on the surface of your teeth. This coating is typically applied to premolars and molars because food is more likely to remain stuck there. The plastic coating fills the grooves and ridges of the premolars and molars, providing a protective barrier.
Dental sealants can reduce tooth decay by keeping your teeth clean. They are also very durable, lasting for up to a decade. However, they may break or chip while chewing or biting. Therefore, regular dental visits are recommended.
If you have not had dental procedures yet and your permanent natural teeth are still healthy, dental sealants can help you keep them that way.
Do adults need dental sealants?
Even though dental sealants are usually used for children, they have various disadvantages for adults as well. A person can experience tooth decay at any age. Adults can get dental sealants to prevent future damage problems and save money in the long run. Your risk of tooth decay becomes significantly less.
By paying for dental sealants, you are essentially saving money that you would have paid for tooth replacement procedures, crowns, veneers, discoloration, or any other dental problems.
That being said, dental sealants need to be changed every ten years. You must get them checked regularly at the dentist’s place so that they can recommend reapplication if necessary.
Check your dental insurance policy.
In most cases, dental insurance policies only cover the costs until up to 18 years of age. Check your policy coverage before booking your dental appointment. Otherwise, at the end of the procedure, you may be surprised to find that you will have to pay for everything out of pocket.
If your dental insurance does not cover the costs of dental sealants, you may have to cover it yourself. However, the money you spend on sealants now is significantly less than what you would spend on fixing a damaged or decayed tooth.
If you are considering getting dental sealants, visit your dentist today!