How Dental Sealants Protect Your Teeth

Brushing, flossing, and regular checkups at Parkside Family Dental are the three best ways to protect your teeth from decay. However, there are other ways to keep your teeth in the best shape possible. Dental sealants can help, too.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings that cover your premolars and molars. Those teeth in particular are harder to reach for brushing and flossing, and they also have an uneven surface that’s perfect for leftover food and bacteria. When there’s a sealant over that surface, however, it helps keep food from getting stuck and feeding cavity-causing bacteria.

What Dental Sealants Do

Dental sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of molar decay by almost 80 percent. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control even released a report highlighting just how important sealants are for school-aged children in particular. Here at Parkside Family Dental, we put sealants on children’s adult molars after they erupt. Adults can also get sealants if they don’t have them already, and reduce their risk for cavities.

Getting Sealants

Getting sealants put in is a very easy process. Best of all, it doesn’t hurt! First, the tooth is cleaned and dried. Then, we put on a gel that roughens the tooth surface, ensuring a strong bond between the tooth and sealant. Next, the gel is rinsed off, so the tooth can be dried again and then the sealant goes on. Sealants usually last a handful of years before they need to be reapplied. Dr. Netty-Marbell and the team will let you know when a sealant needs to be done again.

Dental Sealants Stop Cavities Before They Start

Prevention is always the best strategy when it comes to oral health. With dental sealants, you can prevent cavities before they even start, so if you have a child who doesn’t have them yet, or you want them for your own teeth, give us a call today!