POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS FOR SEALANTS
ABOUT THE PROCEDURE
Sealants fill pits and fissures of groovy teeth to keep plaque and food out. In the rear adult molars sealants decrease staining and risk of decay. During the procedure we placed an acidic gen on your tooth. The gel roughs up the tooth allowing a strong bond to form between the tooth and sealant. Once the sealant is applied, the dentist will harden the sealant with a special blue light.
COMMON CONCERNS
Your bite may feel different, which is normal. Over the next few days the excess material will wear off while the deepest grooves remain filled.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Recommended Diet includes soft foods. Avoid foods that involve chewing, sticky, or hard such as popcorn, candy, ice, etc. Safe foods include
- Smoothies, milk shakes, yogurt, applesauce, mac and cheese, etc.
Resume a normal diet the following day.
Cleaning and oral hygiene should resume immediately. It is important to remember that sealants only cover the biting surface of a tooth which is why flossing is paramount in preventing cavities between the teeth. Therefore, healthy cleaning and oral hygiene should should include:
- Brushing at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time
- Flossing once a day
LONG TERM CARE RECOMMENDATIONS
We encourage you to maintain healthy habits to maximize the lifespan of your sealant which should last 2-5 years. To minimize material loss in your sealant please maintain:
- Healthy oral hygiene practice of brushing twice a day for at least two minutes each time and flossing once a day
- A recommended fluoride toothpaste
- A balanced healthy diet to reduce recurrent decay around the sealant material
- Regular dental appointments to be examined for chipping, leakage, wear, and overall effectiveness
WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR
Do not hesitate to call us when or if:
- Your sealant is lost. No harm to the tooth will occur if this occurs except the loss of protection that the sealant provided. It is important to not wait to have this addressed because the sealant protects where a toothbrush and floss can’t.
Your oral hygiene and dental health is important to us at Fairbanks Family Dental Care. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns regarding your recent procedure and continued care and health.
Fairbanks Family Dental Care
360A Old Chena Pump Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99709
(907) 921-8888
fairbanksdentalcare@gmail.com
Fairbanksfamilydentalcare.com