Dental Sealants Are Used To Seal Your Teeth From Cavities

You brush twice a day, and you may even be one of those rare people who flosses on a regular basis – yet, there is still one way to protect your pearly whites: dental sealants. Dental sealants are a dental treatment that is specifically used to prevent tooth decay. Both children and adults are good candidates for this preventive treatment, and it can go a long way to ensure that your teeth are as healthy as they can possibly be.

Dental sealants act as a barrier to “seal out” cavities from the teeth. The back teeth have recesses and grooves on their biting surfaces, making them prime real estate for cavities to take up residence. The best way to prevent this from occurring is by sealing out their ability to move in. Dental sealants are a plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the premolars and molars where decay is most likely to occur. These barriers fill up the grooves and recesses of the teeth so that cavities do not have spaces to form.

The process of receiving dental sealants is painless and quick. Following a dental cleaning, the teeth that will receive the sealants are prepared. This preparation involves drying the teeth very carefully and placing cotton pads around the teeth so that they stay dry. A solution is put on the teeth to “roughen up” the surface so that the sealants will stick better. The tooth is rinsed and dried again; and the cotton pad is then replaced with a new, dry one. The sealant is then applied and allowed to harden. The entire process takes about two minutes per tooth and involves no pain.

Many adults do not know that they are candidates for dental sealants. They falsely believe that they are only used on children. However, almost everyone is a good candidate for dental sealants, and this simple procedure can help everyone avoid tooth decay. The back teeth need extra protection, and dental sealants provide that added layer of security to help them maintain their health. Dental sealants are a great method of avoiding costly dental fillings and dental work, and we are proud to provide this treatment at Family & Cosmetic Dental Care in Johns Creek. Call today to schedule your appointment.

Posted by Mitul Patel DDS, Family & Cosmetic Dental Care
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