The occlusal, or biting, surfaces of your molars and premolars are called upon to do most the chewing and grinding when you eat. To aid in this, most people have developed textures in the tooth enamel. While this makes the teeth more efficient for their given task, there is also a chance of food residue or plaque becoming trapped in the textured tooth enamel.
Sometimes twice-daily brushing isn’t sufficient for keeping these areas clear of bacterial-rich detritus. This significantly increases your chances of suffering large cavities on one or more of your back teeth.
If Dr. Robert Jackson notices a problem like this during your dental checkup, he might recommend a thorough cleaning before the application of dental sealants.
Dental sealants are made from a dental-grade resin material that your dentist paints onto the biting surfaces of each molar and premolar. Your dentist will then use a special ultraviolet light to harden the resin. Even if plaque and food particles get stuck on the biting surfaces, the sealants will prevent bacteria from having direct access to the underlying tooth enamel.
Dental sealants can be applied at the end of your dental checkup and cleaning to ensure the enamel is completely free of bacterial matter.
If you live in the Carrollton, Texas, area and you are interested in dental sealants, you should call 972-492-1064 to schedule a checkup at Jackson Dental.