A dental sealant (also called a pit and fissure sealant) is a plastic, professionally-applied material that is put on the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent cavities. Sealants provide a physical barrier so that cavity-causing bacteria cannot invade the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
Since the early 1970s, childhood dental caries on smooth tooth surfaces (those without pits and fissures) has declined markedly because of widespread exposure to fluorides. By 1986-1987, approximately 90 percent of the decay in children’s teeth occurred in tooth surfaces with pits and fissures, and almost two-thirds were found on the chewing surfaces alone. Dental sealants have been shown to prevent decay on tooth surfaces with pits and fissures. Sealants have been approved for use for many years and are recommended by professional health associations and public health agencies.
First permanent molars erupt into the mouth at about age 6 years. Placing sealants on these teeth shortly after they erupt protects them from developing caries in areas of the teeth where food and bacteria collect. If sealants were applied routinely to susceptible tooth surfaces in conjunction with the appropriate use of fluoride, most tooth decay in children could be prevented.
Second permanent molars erupt into the mouth at about age 12 years. Pit and fissure surfaces of these teeth are as susceptible to dental caries as the first permanent molars of younger children. Therefore, young teens need to receive dental sealants shortly after the eruption of their second permanent molars.
The potential to develop pit and fissure decay begins early in life, so children and teenagers are obvious candidates. But some adults at high risk of decay can benefit from sealants as well. Your dentist can tell you if you would benefit from dental sealants. How are sealants applied?
Applying sealants does not require drilling or removing tooth structure. It is an easy three-step process: The tooth is cleaned with a special toothpaste. A special cleansing liquid, on a tiny piece of cotton, is rubbed gently on the tooth and is washed off. Finally, the sealant is painted on the tooth. It takes about a minute for the sealant to form a protective shield.
Upon close examination sealants can be seen. Sealants can be clear, white, or slightly tinted. Because they are used only on the back teeth, sealants cannot be seen when a child talks or smiles.
One sealant application can last for as long as 5 to 10 years. Sealants should be checked regularly, and reapplied if they are no longer in place. Do dental sealants replace fluoride?
No. Fluorides, such as those used in community water, toothpaste, gels, varnish, and mouthrinse also help to prevent decay. Fluoride works best on the smooth surfaces of teeth. The chewing surfaces on the back teeth, however, have tiny grooves where decay often begins. Sealants keep cavity-causing bacteria out of the grooves by covering them with a safe plastic coating. Sealants and fluorides work together to prevent tooth decay.
Sealants should be used as part of a child's total preventive dental care. A complete preventive dental program includes use of sealants, fluoride, plaque removal, careful food choices, and regular dental care.
Sealants help maintain sound, intact teeth. Decay destroys the structure of the tooth. Each time a tooth is filled or a filling is replaced, additional tooth structure is lost. Fillings last an average of 6 to 8 years before they need to be replaced. Appropriate use of sealants can save time, money and the discomfort associated with dental treatment procedures.
Nightguards consists of a moldable plastic mouth guard that comfortably fits over your teeth to protect them from damage caused by Bruxism. Bruxism is when you clench or grind your teeth, commonly at night. The design creates a cushion between the upper and lower teeth that absorbs the force of clenching and grinding.
The term clenching means you tightly clamp your top and bottom teeth together, especially the back teeth. The stressful force of clenching causes pressure on the muscles, tissues and other structures around your jaw. This can lead to jaw joint disorders, jaw pain and soreness, headaches, earaches, damaged teeth and other problems. These symptoms are often collectively referred to as "TMJ" or temperomandibular joint problems.
Many people who clench also grind their teeth. Grinding is when you slide your teeth over each other, generally in a sideways, back-and-forth movement. This action may wear down your teeth and be noisy enough at night to bother sleeping partners. Like clenching, grinding can lead to jaw pain and other problems.
Occlusal Splints are the best insurance policy to keep you from breaking your teeth and keeping your muscles comfortable. It might even give someone a better nights sleep.
It is however, essential that you dentist diagnose the problem and decide whether the occlusal splint is the right therapy for you.
Saliva is nature’s primary defence system for the oral environment, and is particularly important for protecting exposed tooth surfaces.
Your saliva protects your teeth by:
If your body fails to produce enough saliva, or if it is of poor quality, the saliva may be unable to neutralise the acids in your mouth which can lead to severe dental problems and bad breath if left unchecked.
A simple in-office test is now available for evaluating how well saliva is protecting teeth.
Here at smile concepts, we can perform a simple saliva test that will identify in just a few minutes if you are at risk of dental problems due to unhealthy saliva.
There is reduced clearance of bacteria and food from the mouth, reduced buffering of acid challenges, and diminished remineralising potential. The oral cavity therefore becomes more acidic.
We will discuss with you a treatment plan on how to manage your saliva. The plan may require a change of diet, lifestyle or tooth brushing habit. You might even require a regular application of a tooth coating or have a thin protective layer placed over 'at risk' tooth surfaces.
If you would like more information on Dentist, Dental Checkup, Oral Hygiene, Fissure Sealants, Occlusal Splints, Mouth Guards, Dietary Advise, Saliva Testing, Dentist, please contact Smile Concepts directly by clicking here or ringing 02 9267 7777