Dental Sealants are a great treatment to help prevent tooth decay. However, there may be some cases in which a sealant doesn’t properly perform its job and a tooth begins to decay under it. Read on to learn more about dental sealants and what happens if a cavity forms under one.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a clear, plastic-based coating that covers the natural grooves on the surface of molars. Their job is to shield teeth against bacteria and food debris that may get trapped in the grooves and cause tooth decay. Sealants are often applied after a biannual checkup and cleaning and can last up to 10 years. If a dental sealant falls off before that, a new sealant can be easily applied at a patient’s next dental visit.
Cavities Under Dental Sealants, Is It Possible?
Yes, it is possible for a cavity to form under a dental sealant, but it is very uncommon. One of the many advantages of dental sealants is that they are clear. If a sealant malfunctions and a cavity forms underneath the sealant, a dentist will be able to quickly catch it before it worsens. They will remove the sealant and properly treat the cavity before placing a new sealant coating over the chewing surface of the molar.
Maintain Your Smile at Home
Even though sealants help protect teeth from cavities, you can’t solely rely on them to keep cavities at bay. Maintaining a proper at-home oral hygiene regimen is one of the best ways to prevent tooth decay. Brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time and floss daily. We also recommend that you use fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash to help strengthen your enamel and combat bad bacteria.
Cavity Prevention at Hillstream Dental
If you have any questions about your smile or think that a cavity may be forming, reach out to us right away. The sooner a cavity is treated, the less long-term damage it will have on your smile! Questions about dental sealants? We’d love to answer them. Please contact our Hillstream Dental office for more information! We have offices in Rochester Hills and St. Clair Shores.
