Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities From Attacking Your Smile

Dentists always advise us to brush and floss every day and eat healthy for good oral health. Unfortunately, cavities remain a challenge to prevent, especially in the back teeth that are hard to reach with a toothbrush.

Our molars have rough, uneven surfaces, perfect for chewing but easy for food and bacteria to hide. One way to keep our molars cavity-free is dental sealants, as explained below.

What Exactly Are Dental Sealants?

A dental sealant is a thin coating of clear or tooth-colored plastic or resin composite painted onto your molars. Dental sealants protect against cavities by blocking germs and food debris from the tooth's surface. Sealants work best before cavities form or when the first signs of decay start to show. Dentists often recommend sealants for children from the age of 6 when their first molars develop.

Why Do I Need Dental Sealants?

Your dentist in Boston may recommend dental sealants for:

  • Newly erupted molars in children and teens
  • Early cavities

How Are Dental Sealants Applied?

Getting a sealant is a quick and easy dental procedure that doesn't require anesthesia. Your dentist first cleans the tooth and applies a disinfecting gel on the tooth’s surface for a few seconds. Next, the teeth are rinsed and dried, and then the sealant is painted onto the tooth. Finally, UV light is shined onto the tooth to harden and set the sealant.

How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?

Dental sealants can keep your teeth cavity-free for between 5 and 9 years, depending on your oral hygiene practice. If your sealants ever come off, your dentist can reapply them easily. Regular dental visits will ensure that your sealants remain intact or replaced quickly before cavities start to form.

Save Your Teeth from Cavities Today

It is easy to overlook dental sealants in cavity prevention. At Arch Street Dental, we believe that prevention is the best form of cure, especially for children and teens whose teeth are still healthy and growing. If you have any questions about dental sealants for your kids, get in touch with us today.