Should you look into getting dental sealants as an older adult? Read on to learn more about the procedure and find if you’re the right candidate.
Kids’ teeth are more prone to cavities, as children are just learning about dental hygiene, and they may not be properly removing food and plaque from every nook and cranny. Dental sealants have been shown to reduce childhood tooth decay by more than 70%.
But what about adults? Can we benefit from sealants, too?
The short answer is yes. As an adult, we can benefit from sealants if…
WE’RE PROTECTING HEALTHY TEETH
Sealants can only be applied to teeth that don’t already have a cavity or a filling.
If most teeth are healthy, sealants are a great preventive procedure, but may not be necessary.
WE’RE AT HIGH RISK FOR CAVITIES
Dentists may recommend sealants if healthy teeth are in a “high or moderate risk” area of the mouth. This can mean that surrounding teeth have had cavities or teeth have naturally deep ridges and grooves that trap bacteria, thus increasing chances of decay.
OUR SMILES ARE CHANGING
As we age, our oral health changes and it might require extra attention. Certain conditions can make teeth more susceptible to decay. Sealants may be a good choice to protect teeth from changes in oral health.
Ask your dentist if sealants are right for you.
