Despite a lot of proof showing that dental sealants in Saskatoon effectively prevent tooth decay and cavities from occurring, this simple and effective treatment is still severely underused.
The reason for this lies in a few common misconceptions. Our team at Mount Royal Dental busts some myths about dental sealants near you in this blog post.
#1 Dental Sealants Leak: BUSTED!
If your dentist uses the right technique to ensure that there are no spaces after curing, you won’t need to worry about your sealants leaking. However, it is not uncommon for sealants to require touch-ups now and again. Since they are typically placed on the molars, which do most of our chewing and grinding for us, they go through a lot of wear and tear and require some maintenance. You can think of dental sealants as similar to paint on an old car- you can’t expect it never to scratch.
#2 Dental Sealants Are Hard to Apply: BUSTED!
Applying dental sealants is a very quick process and should only take a dentist near you a few minutes to complete. Not only will your time in the dental chair be brief, but you can return to your daily activities immediately after your procedure.
#3 The Teeth Underneath the Dental Sealants Will Decay: BUSTED!
If properly applied, dental sealants work to prevent tooth decay from occurring at all. For decay to form, bacteria need to be able to accumulate on their teeth. These bacteria can easily be removed from smooth surfaces with a good oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing but tend to stick around in challenging cleaning environments such as pits, fissures, and grooves in molars. When a dentist in Saskatoon applies dental sealants to these molars, bacteria and food particles can’t get in. Plus, the resulting smooth surface is much easier to clean and maintain.
#4 If You Seal in Tooth Decay, Bacteria Will Grow: BUSTED!
As long as the bacteria have not created a cavity, dental sealants can stop the decay process. The bacteria that lead to decay need food and sugar to thrive and survive, and they cannot access this when they are trapped under dental sealants. Think of it as placing a lid on a candle to put out a flame.
#5 Dental Sealants Don’t Last: BUSTED!
When placed properly, dental sealants can last for up to a decade. However, since they are placed on the molars, which do most of our chewing for us, they do eventually wear down, chip, or fall off. Luckily, sealants are easy to replace. That is why it is important to visit our team at Mount Royal Dental at least once every six months for a dental cleaning and checkup. At this time, our dentist can examine the condition of your sealants and apply more if needed.
Interested in Dental Sealants?
While it can be easy to be fooled by misconceptions surrounding dental sealants, the facts are clear: dental sealants are an effective, simple, and safe way to prevent tooth decay and cavities and protect your overall oral health. By choosing to get dental sealants, you can protect your smile for years to come. If you would like to learn more about dental sealants, please do not hesitate to contact our team at Mount Royal Dental today. We are happy to provide our patients with dental sealants as a form of preventative dentistry. Please contact us to book an appointment today!