Cavities are most likely to occur in the back teeth, called the molars. Compared to the smoother front teeth, molars have rough surfaces composed of natural grooves and crevices. Food debris easily gets caught in these grooves and is hard to remove with a toothbrush. Trapped food particles feed bacteria that produce harmful acids, which can damage your tooth enamel and irritate your gums, increasing your risk of dental disease. Dental sealants are a simple preventive treatment that can help reduce this problem!
Sealants are made of a tooth-colored dental resin that is used to coat the chewing surface of molars. This special material is quickly applied into the deep grooves of the molars then cured with a blue light. Afterwards, the sealants will act as a barrier between your teeth, food particles, and bacteria to reduce the incidence of tooth decay. Sealants are long-lasting and durable and can be optionally reapplied when they wear down.
Are Dental Sealants Only for Kids?
Sealants can help prevent cavities for children, teenagers, and adults! If you or your children don’t have sealants on the back teeth, please consult with Dr. Chittajallu to determine if you and your family would benefit from this preventive treatment.
At your routine checkups, our dentist will also check for cavities and recommend treatment as necessary!
How Do I Know If I Have a Cavity?
Early-stage tooth decay can sometimes be reversed and remineralized with improved oral hygiene, a balanced diet, a professional cleaning, and/or a fluoride treatment. But permanent weakening of a tooth in the form of a cavity, or hole, needs a filling to prevent additional damage. Advanced cavities that are accompanied by infection usually require root canal therapy.
At home, you may notice some of these common signs of cavities:
- Dark discoloration on tooth
- Chronic tooth pain
- Halitosis
- Bad taste in your mouth
- Dental pain when eating
- Tooth sensitivity
Schedule Your Next Dental Checkup at Southwest Smiles!
To prevent cavities, we recommend consuming a balanced diet, maintaining excellent daily oral hygiene, and visiting your dentist twice a year for a biannual cleaning and checkup. Are you overdue for a dental checkup? Don’t put it off any longer! Please contact Southwest Smiles today to schedule your next visit.