Sealants
Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars
Sealants, provide a protective coating (made from plastic or other dental materials) that adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth. Sealants are no substitute for brushing and flossing, but they can keep cavities from forming and may even stop early stages of decay from becoming a cavity.
Brushing and flossing are the best ways to help prevent cavities, but it’s not always easy to clean every nook and cranny of your teeth, especially molars. Molars are rough, uneven and a favorite place for leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria to hide.
Research Results for Sealants
Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. This is especially important when it comes to your child’s dental health. A 2016 CDC report showed “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.”
Sealants are a protective layer for your teeth. When the cavity-causing bacteria that live in everyone’s mouth meet leftover food particles, they produce acids that can create holes in teeth. These holes are cavities. After sealant has been applied it keeps those bits of food out and stops bacteria and acid from settling on your teeth.
Children and adults can benefit from sealants, but the earlier you get them, the better. First molars appear around age 6, and second molars break through around age 12. Sealing these teeth as soon as they come through can keep them cavity-free from the start.
A Quick and Easy Process
Applying sealants is a quick, easy, and painless process. Your dentist will clean and dry your tooth before placing an acidic gel on your teeth. This gel roughs up your tooth surface so a strong bond will form between your tooth and the sealant. After a few seconds, your dentist will rinse off the gel and dry your tooth once again before applying the sealant onto the grooves of your tooth. Your dentist will then use a special blue light to harden the sealant.
With the exception of an allergy that may exist, there are no known side effects from sealants.
The Advantages of Sealants
Proven protection for young and older teeth
Quick and easy application
Protection for surfaces vulnerable to decay and cavities
Safe, with no known side-effects