With a little hi-tech help, preventing tooth decay can become
even easier. You may already be aware that daily brushing and flossing are
the most important weapons against the formation of plaque, the primary
cause of cavities. To supplement your regular routine of brushing and
flossing, we can apply a coat of plastic material -- called a sealant --
on the top, or biting, surfaces of your teeth. This plastic coating
creates a barrier between your teeth and the decay-causing bacteria that
live in plaque.
As you or your children eat and drink during the
day, the food in your mouth combines with bacteria to produce a sticky
film called plaque that attaches on and in between tooth surfaces (tooth
enamel). Plaque often is found on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth,
from which it is difficult to remove by brushing and flossing alone. If
plaque is not removed regularly from your teeth, it can produce acids
which will attack the tooth enamel and create pits or holes (cavities) in
the tooth. This is tooth decay.
Coating your teeth with a smooth
plastic material makes it harder for plaque to stick to the tiny grooves
on the biting surfaces of the teeth - reducing the risk of forming
cavities and tooth decay.
The procedure is easy and painless, and
lasts for many months. The teeth are specially cleaned and prepared, the
sealant is applied and a special light hardens the
sealant.
Sealants are most effective in reducing cavities in
children with newly formed permanent teeth. They are useful in cutting
down formation of decay in adult teeth but since we chew harder, the
sealants wear away more quickly. An application of sealants is a
preventive measure to keep teeth healthy. It is an effective way to reduce
the need for fillings and more expensive treatment that may be required to
repair the damage from cavities, so sealants can also save you money.
With a little hi-tech help, preventing tooth decay can become
even easier. You may already be aware that daily brushing and flossing are
the most important weapons against the formation of plaque, the primary
cause of cavities. To supplement your regular routine of brushing and
flossing, we can apply a coat of plastic material -- called a sealant --
on the top, or biting, surfaces of your teeth. This plastic coating
creates a barrier between your teeth and the decay-causing bacteria that
live in plaque.