At birth people usually have
20 primary (baby) teeth, which often erupt through
the gums as early as six months of age.
These
teeth are then shed at various times throughout
childhood. By age 21, all 32 of the permanent
teeth have usually erupted.
Learn More
Getting to know your teeth is fun! Learn all about your teeth with our fun, interactive, and educational diagrams:
Regular Checkups
We encourage regular checkups
for individuals age three and up. Most people find
that it is valuable to have a checkup at least
every six months.
Regular checkups include a thorough cleaning
and an oral exam by your dentist. During the oral
exam, your dentist checks the health of your mouth,
teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. At each visit,
your dentist also checks old fillings and restorations
because constant pressure from chewing, grinding,
or clenching can cause them to wear away, chip,
or crack.
Sealants
A sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars). This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids. Sealants are most effective on primary teeth because these teeth will be replaced by age eleven.
Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. But toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract food and plaque, so sealants are used to protect these vulnerable areas by "sealing out" plaque and food.
Sealants work well for all ages. Because the likelihood
of developing pit and fissure decay begins early
in life, children and teenagers are obvious candidates.
But adults can benefit from sealants, as well.
Sealants are easy for your dentist to apply.
It takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth.
First, the tooth is cleaned. Next, the chewing
surfaces are roughened with an acid solution to
help the sealant adhere to the tooth. Then the
sealant is "painted" onto the tooth
enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and
hardens. Sometimes a special curing light is used
to help the sealant harden.
As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. During your regular dental visits, your dentist will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them when necessary.
Ask your dentist about whether sealants can put extra
power behind your prevention program.
