Protecting Growing Smiles With Dental Sealants
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a thin, protective layer of clear plastic that we paint onto the chewing surfaces of the patient’s molars, effectively “sealing them off” from food debris, bacteria, and plaque that are difficult to remove, especially for young children who don’t have great dexterity when brushing. As a practice offering Peabody pediatric dentist treatments, we recommend dental sealants for any children whose molars have erupted.
Reducing the Risk of Cavities
With dental sealants, your child’s risk of developing cavities will be reduced by 80%, an impressive benefit for such a simple preventive measure that can be done in the course of a normal checkup visit. Sealants cover all the deep crevices and pits in the molars, making brushing much easier. Think of them as raincoats for your teeth, shielding them from the elements.
Proper Dental Care With Sealants
While having dental sealants is excellent protection from cavities in the chewing surfaces of the molars, it’s no excuse to grow casual about brushing and flossing, because they don’t protect other parts of the teeth or the gum tissue. Whether or not they have sealants, Peabody pediatric dentists and family dentists recommend that everyone brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for two full minutes and floss daily.
The Process of Getting Sealants
Getting sealants is one of the quickest and easiest procedures a patient can undergo. There are no preparations to remember beforehand; we’ll take care of everything. Here’s what to expect:
- We thoroughly clean the teeth that will receive sealants.
- We dry them and place cotton gauze around them to keep the chewing surfaces dry.
- We paint a small amount of an etching solution on the chewing surfaces to create a rougher texture to bond the sealants.
- We rinse and dry your teeth again.
- We paint the sealant material onto the chewing surfaces to bond directly to the tooth enamel.
- Using a curing light, we harden the sealant material.
The entire process takes minutes, and if you aren’t receiving any other treatment, you should be able to resume your normal daily activities when you leave our office. You shouldn’t experience any discomfort after getting sealants. It may take a few days to get used to the new texture of the surface of your molars, but this is perfectly normal.
Considerations for Sealants
While sealants are very effective at preventing cavities, they aren’t always the right option for every tooth. Sealants are meant to protect healthy teeth, so we won’t place them on teeth that are only partially erupted, have existing decay, or have dental fillings. This is to minimize the risk of applying sealants over bacteria. If sealants are applied improperly, without thorough cleaning, they can seal in bacteria and cause cavities.
Dental Sealant FAQs
Are dental sealants only for children?
While children and teenagers are the typical candidates for dental sealants and we strongly recommend them starting at age 6 (or earlier if your child’s baby teeth have deep groves), there’s no reason adults can’t get them too. Anyone prone to tooth decay in their molars should consider getting sealants for the extra protection.
How long do dental sealants last?
Sealants typically last up to five years, so you will need to have them reapplied periodically. We can check the condition of your sealants during your dental visits.
What are dental sealants made of?
Dental sealants can be made of a couple different materials, typically either medical-grade resins (synthetic or plant-based), or glass ionomers (glass powder held together with water-soluble acid).
How soon after getting sealants can I eat or drink?
There’s no wait! You can resume eating and drinking normally after your appointment, but keep in mind that very hard, sticky, or chewy foods can erode or chip sealants.
Schedule a Visit to Get Sealants for You or Your Child!
If your child has fully erupted 6-year-old molars, now is a great time to schedule a dental visit to that includes dental sealants. Our team at Dental Arts on Essex is ready to help your child protect their first adult teeth with this simple procedure. If you would like sealants for yourself, make sure to ask us about them. We will determine if you are a good candidate.