Dentists’ seal of approval

Dentists are always thinking ahead, whether it is to what they need to do next, what you need to do next or the next issue that may arise that they need to be prepared for. In many senses, it is a key aspect of the job.

With this in mind, one of the most important facets of maintaining oral health is preventative maintenance. While each visit to the dentist’s office focuses mostly on cleaning your teeth and discussing issues that may have arisen, this time is equally important as a chance to nip future problems in the bud.

Dentists have a number of different methods, tricks and tips they utilize regularly to help their patients stay on top of tooth care. One of the most widely applied methods of this type today is the application of sealant to patients teeth to help keep out bacteria and other harmful debris.

These sealants were first created in the late 1960s. After being thoroughly researched and tested, they were initially approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in the early 1970s. Since then they have become a common treatment applied by dentists around the country and the world. Application often starts at a young age for most individuals and continues through adulthood.

The sealant itself is actually a plastic material that is liquified and applied to the tops of one or more teeth. Once in place it hardens and solidifies itself within the crevice of each tooth, forming a barrier between the sensitive cracks of the tooth where particles may become lodged and the rest of the mouth.

To apply the sealant, the dentist or a hygienist cleans each tooth and applies an acidic solution that creates a rough surface to which the material can easily bond. The sealant is then applied in liquid form across the fissure pits of the teeth. To cure and harden the plastic material, a special light is shone on the affected area in most cases. In some others, the material is chemically self-curing.

These sealants typically stand up to the rigorous pressure of everyday chewing quite well. They often last upwards of five years before the material should be reapplied, although in some cases they may become compromised sooner and should be reassessed. As part of their examination of a patient’s mouth at the end of a cleaning session, dentists usually examine the condition of that patient’s sealant if present to determine if it needs to be reapplied.

Sealants are yet another example of how dentists are always on the lookout for ways to uphold the oral health of their patients, but they remain only one part of the puzzle. A dedicated routine of preventative maintenance and regular visit to a dental office are what facilitate them working to the best of their abilities.