Categories: Dental Sealants

How a Dental Sealant Protects Teeth from Cavities

Thinking about getting dental sealant treatment? Dental sealants are a vital tool for preventing cavities or tooth decay. Tooth decay is a prevalent condition among children and teenagers, and when unchecked, it can lead to other serious oral issues such as premature tooth loss and gum disease. In combination with other preventive care measures such as excellent home oral care routine and biannual dental checkups, dental sealants can improve the tooth’s defenses against tooth decay and keep the mouth healthy.

How dental sealants protect the teeth

Generally, dental sealants are meant to protect the molars from bacteria and food debris, which form plaque on the teeth. The molars and premolars at the back of the mouth have pits and fissures that trap food and are often harder to clean. Therefore, most cases of tooth decay occur on the molars. The decay-causing bacteria hide in the grooves of the chewing surfaces of those teeth. Due to their location in the mouth, it can be hard to brush the teeth properly using a regular toothbrush.

If a dentist examines the child's mouth and finds them to be highly susceptible to tooth decay, they may decide to apply a dental sealant over the teeth. The sealant becomes a barrier, stopping food particles and bacteria from collecting over the tooth enamel. Dental sealants do not improve oral health directly and are not designed to substitute other preventive treatments such as fluoride application and general oral care. Usually, sealants are a comfortable, inexpensive, and aesthetically pleasing way to protect the teeth from needing dental fillings.

Applying dental sealants

Dental sealants are made from a liquid plastic material that hardens over the teeth. First, the dentist will carefully clean and prepare the molars. With a brush, they will paint the sealant over the targeted teeth. The sealant is usually tooth-colored, so it does not stand out after application.

After the sealant is applied uniformly over the teeth and to the dentist’s satisfaction, it may be either left to harden on its own or exposed to a unique curing light, depending on the type of sealant used. The light hardens the sealant over the teeth to achieve a clear layer of hard, thin, resilient, and protective barrier. The application of dental sealants is completed within one dental appointment and is completely painless.

When to apply the sealant

Sealants are typically first applied as soon as the primary molars erupt. Depending on the child’s oral care habits, the sealant may survive the entire lifetime of the primary teeth or require multiple replacements. The durability of sealants mostly depends on the oral habits of the patient.

The dentist will suggest applying a sealant over the permanent molars immediately after they erupt. That way, the teeth will be protected before there is a case of tooth decay. It is inadvisable to apply sealants over a tooth that has had a dental filling.

Do you need dental sealants?

Dental sealants prevent bacteria and food particles from gathering on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, thereby preventing the occurrence of tooth decay. The dentist will check the condition of the sealant and reapply if it starts to deteriorate. If you have additional questions about the procedure, contact our office for an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://hanfordcosmeticdentist.com or call Rushi Panchal DDS at (559) 426-1124 for an appointment in our Hanford office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Sealants in Hanford, CA.

Recent Posts

Can Dental Sealants Be Used For Adults?

Dental sealants are an effective preventive treatment against tooth decay that are commonly associated with children and young adults. But what about adults? Continue reading to learn about dental sealants for adults and the purpose the treatment serves.Tooth decay and gum disease are the major causes of tooth loss in adults. The two conditions are…

Preventive Benefits Of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants provide a simple but effective preventive solution to the issue of tooth cavities developing on chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The back molars have pits and fissures for chewing, but they tend to trap food debris, and the bacteria they harbor are often hard to clean, despite regular brushing. Applying dental sealants…

Why You Should Visit A Family Dentist For Dental Sealants Treatment

Dental sealants are a great protective option for patients of all ages. Family dentists typically administer them to children as a way to prevent tooth decay, but adults can also benefit from these preventive measures. This simple procedure can be done in less than an hour, and the results tend to last for a few…

How Preventive Dentistry Can Avoid A Serious Dental Issue

Practicing preventive dentistry strategies can help you avoid serious dental problems. It can support your personal goals in keeping your gums and teeth healthy. Prevention is always better than going through treatments for serious dental problems. If you want to know how preventive dentistry can avoid the development of a serious oral problem, here are…

Rushi Panchal DDS

Share
Published by
Rushi Panchal DDS

Recent Posts

General Dentistry FAQ: When Is a Dental Filling Recommended?

In general dentistry, dental fillings are one of the most common restorative procedures performed.

7 days ago

Cosmetic Dental Reasons to Get Dental Bonding

Keep reading to find out more about a few cosmetic reasons why you should choose…

2 months ago

6 FAQs About Full Mouth Reconstruction

Considering a full mouth reconstruction? This treatment is recommended when individuals have missing or severely…

3 months ago

Abscessed Tooth Treatment from an Emergency Dentist

An abscessed tooth most likely will not go away on its own. If the symptoms…

4 months ago

How Preventive Dentistry Can Avoid a Serious Dental Issue

If you want to know how preventive dentistry can avoid the development of a serious…

5 months ago

A Guide To The Dental Implant Restoration Process

A Guide To The Dental Implant Restoration Process — Rushi Panchal DDS — Dental implant…

6 months ago