Can Dental Sealants Help Prevent Tooth Decay with Diabetes?

Tooth decay is a serious problem, and if it is not treated right away, it can cause further complications. If you neglect tooth decay for a long time, there is a chance that you might end up losing your tooth entirely. It is a well-known fact that people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing tooth decay. This is because people suffering from diabetes have a higher than normal blood sugar level.

So, when debris and plaque are deposited around the teeth, the excess blood sugar can create the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. Over time, it turns into a cavity. However, a dentist in Brooklin has come a long way, and now there are ways to treat such problems.

What are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a great way to protect your teeth from tooth decay and cavities. Applying dental sealants in Whitby, ON is a very simple procedure. The sealant is nothing but a thin coating of paint that is applied to the tooth to protect it from cavities. If applied with proper technique, the dental sealant can last a lifetime.

Someone suffering from diabetes is at a higher risk of developing tooth decay. It is recommended that they get dental sealants as soon as possible because it will lower the chances of them developing a cavity. Dental procedures are harder to perform on diabetic people because they are at risk of developing complications later on. So, it is better to take preventive measures.

Benefits of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants in Whitby, ON, are used to fill small grooves in your back teeth. It helps to keep food and bacteria out, which in turn prevents tooth decay. Dental sealants can either be white or clear, so if you are just going to get sealant applied on just one tooth, you can go for the clear option as not to make one tooth look different. One of the biggest benefits of dental sealants is that dentist in Brooklin only takes a few minutes to apply them. However, if you are going to have it applied to more teeth, it will take a bit more time.

Unlike other dental procedures, applying dental sealants is painless, and you can get back to your normal life in a couple of hours. It does not require the dentist to drill or inject anything in your teeth or gums. Lastly, your saliva will not be able to dissolve the dental sealant.

How Does Tooth Decay Forms?

Tooth decay can form if you do not care for your teeth properly. It is highly unlikely that someone who cares for their teeth develops a cavity. This means brushing your teeth daily for at least 2 minutes a day and flossing around and in between each tooth. If possible, you should also rinse your mouth with mouthwash.

If you do develop a cavity, it can be caused due to the following reasons:

• For tooth decay to form, plaque needs to develop around the tooth. Plaque is a thin and clear coat that can develop on the tooth. It usually develops when you eat a lot of sugary and starchy food. If the sugar and starch is not cleaned, the bacteria can start feeding on it and create plaque. If plaque is left on the tooth for long, it can harden and form calculus. This makes it even harder to remove.
• Over time, the acid present in plaque can start to eat away the enamel (the outermost layer of the tooth). As erosion occurs, small holes form in the enamel, also known as a cavity. The bacteria then move to eat away the next layer of the tooth, known as the dentin. Dentin is much softer and cannot resist the effects of the acid.
• Once the acid and bacteria damage the dentin, they move to the next layer. The pulp is the innermost layer of the tooth and contains nerves and blood vessels. When bacteria enter the pulp, it swells and becomes irritated, which can cause excruciating pain. This is the final stage of tooth decay, and it is difficult to save the tooth at this stage.