Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating that is applied on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars). The sealant material is painted onto the teeth in a liquid form and hardens to create a protective barrier on the tooth. This barrier helps keep food and plaque from getting trapped in the tiny crevices on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, which can cause tooth decay.
Dental sealants are most effective in preventing tooth decay when they are applied to children’s teeth soon after they emerge from the gums and enter the mouth. While we most often recommend sealants for children who are first learning how to brush properly, we also will apply sealants for adults who are prone to tooth decay or have particularly deep fissures in the pits of these teeth.
Vifuniko vya meno ni tabaka nyembamba la plastiki linalotumiwa kwenye sehemu za kutafuna za meno ya nyuma (molar). Vifaa vya kufungia vinapakwa rangi kwenye meno katika umbo la kioevu na kufanywa kuwa ngumu ili kutengeneza kizuizi cha kulinda meno. Kizuizi hiki husaidia kuzuia chakula na plaque kutoka kuanguka katika nyufa ndogo kwenye nyuso za kutafuna, ambayo inaweza kusababisha kuoza kwa meno. Vifuniko vya meno ni vyenye matokeo zaidi katika kuzuia kuoza kwa meno vinapotumiwa kwenye meno ya watoto muda mfupi baada ya kutokea kwenye meno na kuingia kinywani. Wakati sisi mara nyingi kupendekeza sealants kwa watoto ambao ni kwanza kujifunza jinsi ya brush vizuri, sisi pia kutumia sealants kwa watu wazima ambao ni prone kwa kuoza meno au kuwa na hasa kina ufa katika pits ya meno haya.