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Does your child have cavity-prone teeth - or for that matter, do you? Our back molars are particularly susceptible to tooth decay settling into their many crevices, especially in children with developing teeth. And sometimes, even the most avid brushers and flossers simply have weaker tooth enamel, or higher susceptibility to the type of bacteria that causes cavities, or crooked or crowded teeth that are harder to clean. Fortunately, there is a simple and affordable treatment option to help protect your teeth from cavities: Dental Sealants!
What Sealants Are and How They Work:
Dental Sealants are a thin, plastic-based protective coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth: the premolars and molars. Sealants act as a shield between your tooth enamel and harmful bacteria and plaque that cause tooth decay. Sealants have been shown to effectively protect teeth and prevent nearly 80% of cavities!
Though not permanent, sealants typically last 3-5 years and can even last for up to 10 years with good oral hygiene. They should be checked periodically for chipping and wear during regular dental exams. Sealants can be repaired by adding more sealant material or replaced entirely.
Getting Dental Sealants
Getting sealants is quick and painless. The process is quite simple:
Thoroughly clean and dry the teeth
Apply an acidic solution that gives the sealant a better surface to adhere to
Brush on the liquid sealant material
Harden the material with a special light that cures and strengthens the sealant
Dental sealants are a great, simple step that can save you and your teeth from more costly treatments and stress down the road. Though they are usually applied to children’s teeth, sealants can also be a great cavity-prevention treatment for adults. Sealants must be applied to healthy teeth and not ones that already have decay, so the time to seal out decay is now!
Contact us if you’d like to see if dental sealants are a good option for you!