Can Adults Benefit From Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a common treatment in pediatric dentistry in Grand Island, NE. This preventive dental treatment is used to prevent the formation of cavities. However, more adults are wondering if they can also benefit from dental sealants. Is this a treatment that is appropriate for adult teeth?

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin, clear coatings that are painted on the surface of certain teeth. The sealant protects against the bad bacteria that can cause cavities, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth loss. Sealant for your teeth sounds great, and that is because it is. Dental sealants are great for kids and teens because their teeth have not yet broken down in the way that most adult teeth do.

Can Adults Benefit From Dental Sealants?

Sealants can help keep cavities from happening, but they don’t help with ongoing issues such as gum disease, cavities, or anything else that goes wrong with your teeth. So, if an adult with decaying or damaged teeth gets dental sealant treatment, the decay might simply continue under the sealants. Not only would the sealants not help with the problems that are already there, but they might also give the patient a false sense of security when they really need treatment.

Who Can Benefit From Dental Sealants?

Children make the best candidates for dental sealants because their teeth have not succumbed to most of the oral health issues that plague adults. However, if you are an adult who has had regular dental visits with your Grand Island, NE dentist over the years, and who has excellent oral health, dental sealants may very well be a good option for you. This is a decision that you and your dentist should make together.

Benefits of Dental Sealants For Adults

The benefits of dental sealants for adults are the same as the benefits of dental sealants for children. If you’ve spent your adult life having regular dental checkups and practicing great oral hygiene at home, then you can likely benefit from dental sealants. The benefits include added protection from cavities and bacteria, better oral health into the future, and less chances of food debris from lodging in the chewing surface area of your teeth.

Talk to your dentist about dental sealants to see if they make sense for you. Contact us today to book your appointment.