Getting those plastic coatings as an adult - worth it?

Getting those sealants as an adult felt a little weird to me, honestly. I always thought they were just for kids with new teeth coming in, but my dentist pitched it as a way to protect my “deep grooves” (which, thanks, I guess?). I had them put on after getting braces off - figured with all that effort, might as well try to keep things cavity-free.

The thing is, I can’t really tell if they’re “working” either. Haven’t had a new cavity since, but I’m also brushing like a maniac now because I’m paranoid about undoing my ortho work. One thing I did notice: my teeth feel a bit smoother back there, almost like plastic, which took a couple weeks to get used to. No weird taste or anything, though.

I do kinda wonder if they’ll last, or if they’ll just chip off and I won’t even notice. Did your dentist say how long they’re supposed to stick around? And is it just me, or does food get stuck in them more sometimes? Maybe I’m imagining it…

Yeah, I had the same reaction when my dentist suggested sealants for me. Thought it was just a kid thing, but apparently those grooves don’t magically disappear when you hit adulthood. Mine went on after I got my wisdom teeth out - figured if I’m already numb and drooling, might as well get it all done at once.

I get what you mean about not really knowing if they’re “working.” It’s not like you wake up and your teeth are suddenly bulletproof or whatever. I guess the no-new-cavities thing is a win, but like you, I also started brushing and flossing way more after all that dental work. Could be either one that’s helping.

As for how long they last, my dentist told me they can stick around for years but sometimes chip off without you noticing. He checks them at cleanings and will re-do them if needed. Kind of feels like one more thing to keep track of, honestly.

And yeah, food does seem to get stuck in there more? Or maybe I’m just more aware of it now because the surface feels different. Like, sometimes popcorn kernels or seeds wedge in there and it’s super annoying. Never really noticed that before the sealants.

Overall, I don’t hate having them but I wouldn’t say it’s been some life-changing upgrade either. Just one more weird adulting thing that sounded kind of unnecessary until someone explained all the reasons for it... and then you’re like, “Fine, slap some plastic on my teeth too.”

I’m right there with you - my dentist just suggested sealants and I had no idea adults even got them. The food getting stuck thing is exactly what I’m worried about. Did you notice any weird taste or sensitivity after they put them on? I keep imagining I’ll feel the stuff on my teeth constantly.

I get what you mean about the weird taste or sensitivity. I was pretty nervous about that too, but honestly, I didn’t notice much right after they put them on. Maybe a little odd feeling for a couple days, like my bite was off, but nothing major. The food getting stuck is a real thing though - sometimes stuff wedges around the edges and it bugs me until I floss. Haven’t noticed any new cavities yet, but I’m still paranoid about it. I keep checking back there with my tongue.

That weird bite feeling totally threw me off at first, too. I kept second-guessing if my teeth were actually touching right or if I was just being paranoid. For me, the food getting stuck was way more annoying than any taste or sensitivity. I swear, popcorn is basically banned for me now - those little hulls just wedge in and refuse to budge until I go at it with floss and a toothpick.

I’m still kind of anxious about cavities, though. Even though my dentist said the sealants are supposed to help, I keep poking around with my tongue, convinced I’ll find a new rough spot or something sticky. Does anyone else feel like their teeth are harder to clean with the coatings? Sometimes I wonder if brushing is enough, or if I should be using one of those little interdental brushes too. I don’t want to overdo it and scrape the sealant off, but at the same time, I’m low-key worried about stuff getting trapped under there.

Curious - did anyone’s dentist give them tips on cleaning around the sealants, or is it just regular brushing and flossing?

Does anyone else feel like their teeth are harder to clean with the coatings? Sometimes I wonder if brushing is enough, or if I should be using one of those little interdental brushes too. I don’t want to overdo it and scrape the sealant off...

I get what you mean about being paranoid - after mine were put on, I kept checking for rough patches too. My dentist said just regular brushing and flossing is fine, but honestly, it feels like stuff clings to my molars more now. I started using those soft-pick things (the gum brand ones) after meals, especially if I eat anything sticky or fibrous. No issues with the sealant coming off so far, but I do try to be gentle.

Funny thing, my dentist didn’t really give any special instructions either - just the usual “brush twice a day” spiel. Kinda surprised me since it feels different compared to natural enamel. Has anyone had their sealants chip or wear down? Starting to wonder how long these things actually last before needing a touch-up or replacement...

Funny thing, my dentist didn’t really give any special instructions either - just the usual “brush twice a day” spiel. Kinda surprised me since it feels different compared to natural enamel.

Right? I walked out of the office feeling like I’d just gotten a new set of tires but no manual. My sealants definitely feel a bit “plasticky” compared to regular teeth, and I swear food gets stuck more easily now - especially those sneaky popcorn hulls. I use floss picks religiously, but sometimes I wonder if I’m just being overly cautious.

About chipping: I did have one spot on a molar where the edge felt rough after a few months. Dentist said it was probably just normal wear and nothing to stress about unless it starts trapping food or feels sharp. He touched it up in like two seconds at my cleaning. Apparently, these things can last years, but if you’re a serial ice chewer (guilty), you might be back in the chair sooner.

Honestly, even with the quirks, I’d rather deal with a little extra cleaning than another filling. The peace of mind is worth it... even if I’m now the proud owner of an impressive collection of tiny dental tools.

Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the “plasticky” feel - mine took a while to get used to, and I still notice it sometimes if I’m eating something sticky. The popcorn hulls are the worst... I swear they find every little nook. I don’t think you’re being too cautious with the floss picks. Honestly, after a couple fillings in my twenties, I’ll take a bit of extra maintenance if it means avoiding the drill. The peace of mind is real.

Totally with you on the popcorn hulls - those things are relentless. I still get a weird sensation sometimes when I bite into something chewy, like caramel or even certain breads. The “plastic” feeling never fully disappears for me, but honestly, I’d rather deal with that than more fillings or (ugh) a crown down the line. I’m super cautious about flossing too, and I’ve definitely broken a few of those little picks in the process. Sometimes I wonder if all this extra cleaning is actually making me more anxious about my teeth than before.

Curious though - has anyone had issues with the sealants chipping or wearing down after a few years? My dentist said they should last ages, but mine started feeling rough after about three years and I got paranoid something was wrong. Did you get yours touched up or just leave it?

I get what you mean about the “plastic” feeling - mine never totally blended in either, though I guess after a while I just stopped noticing it as much. But honestly, I’m not convinced sealants are always worth the hassle for adults. I had mine put on a few molars during braces because my dentist was concerned about cavities, but after a couple years, one chipped and the other started feeling gritty. It kind of stressed me out because suddenly I was hyper-aware of every little texture when eating.

Instead of getting them touched up, I just left them. My dentist said it wasn’t urgent unless food was getting stuck or there was visible decay, but it still made me second-guess if they ever really helped that much. Sometimes I wonder if all the extra cleaning and worrying is just trading one problem for another - like, am I protecting my teeth or just making myself more anxious? At this point, I almost prefer sticking to regular cleanings and being careful with what I eat rather than dealing with the upkeep of sealants as an adult. Maybe it’s different for everyone, but for me it felt like more trouble than it was worth.