Can Dental Sealants Help Adults?

How many cavities have you had over the course of your life?

If you’re like 90% of adult Americans, you’ve had at least one cavity during your years on Earth — and many people have had more than one.

But what if there was a way you could prevent tooth decay, cavities, and the need for fillings?

Most of the time, we think of dental sealants as a preventive measure to keep kids from getting cavities. But can they work for adults too?

Here at Portrait Dental in Katy, Texas, we believe they can. Here’s why.

What are dental sealants?

A dental sealant is a plastic material that Dr. Minh Nguyen applies to the top surface of your back teeth (molars) to block those teeth from any possibility they’ll experience tooth decay or cavities. 

The tops of your molars are filled with grooves that can easily trap food that’s difficult to remove with your toothbrush. These food particles become a source of food for bacteria that generate acid, which breaks down the enamel on the outside of your teeth, leading to decay.

The sealant keeps this process from occurring by protecting the biting surfaces of these teeth. It starts as a liquid Dr. Nguyen paints on your teeth; the liquid is then hardened with a curing light to create a clear, tough barrier against the bacteria. 

Are adults good candidates for sealants?

Dental sealants are typically recommended for kids who are at risk for cavity problems (such as kids with poor diets or no access to fluoridated water). However, there’s no reason adults can’t make use of sealants as well — they can prevent dental decay no matter how old you are. 

They may especially be a good idea if your dentist tells you your teeth have a lot of grooves, making them more susceptible to decay. Or, if you have a family history of cavities, sealants can provide another line of defense. Sealants can also protect your teeth if you have a habit of grinding them (grinding breaks down the enamel, increasing the risk of infection and decay).

If you experience dry mouth from medications, sealants may be a good idea as well. Saliva in your mouth cleans bacteria, so a decrease in the amount of saliva available increases the chances of cavities.

One warning: Make sure your dentist does not seal in any decay — that is, don’t apply sealant to a tooth that already has a cavity until it’s cleaned out and a filling is added. 

Sealants are relatively inexpensive (usually around $30-$50 per tooth), but they will have to be reapplied every few years.

If you’d like an extra line of defense in the fight against tooth decay, our team at Portrait Dental would be happy to help you apply dental sealants. To schedule an appointment, just call our Katy office at 501-381-1621 or use our online booking tool to pick your own time!