The Importance of Dental Sealants

If there were a way to help prevent cavities in your child by up to 70%, would you do it? Of course you would. A valued part of your child’s preventative dental care at Salt Run Dentistry is getting dental sealants. With a quick and completely painless procedure, we can protect young smiles and vulnerable teeth from common tooth decay.

Our back teeth are designed for chewing food. Consequently, they have several pits and deep grooves to break a part food as we eat. These areas can be extra difficult to keep clean, especially for young children. Dental sealantsare used to fill in these grooves to make it easier for your child to brush away food debris, bacteria and plague.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Getting dental sealants is nothing to be intimidated about. Sealants are essentially a thin, plastic coating this is applied or “painted on” to your teeth by a dentist or hygienist. They are applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth, where cavities are common.

You can reassure your child that getting dental sealants involves no shots and no drilling. The process will take less than 5 minutes per tooth! Your teeth will be cleaned and dried. Next a special gel is rubbed on your teeth to encourage the sealant to adhere. The sealants are gently applied to each tooth and hardened by a special light. Kids are free to eat and drink as soon as the sealants are dry.

Most sealants will last about five years or more. While they are a highly effective means of cavity protection, they are never a substitute for routine hygiene. You’ll still need to floss as well as brush for two minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. To learn more about dental sealants and when your child can benefit most from them, call Salt Run Dentistry today.