Protecting Your Teeth with Dental Sealants: What They Are and How They Work

Protecting Your Teeth with Dental Sealants: What They Are and How They Work

Oct 01, 2023

As part of maintaining good oral health, dental sealants have emerged as a valuable preventive measure. Dental Sealants in Plymouth, NH, offers tooth sealants, the application of a substance to the teeth that acts as a barrier against decay and cavities.

Let’s delve into the dental sealant benefits and understand its role in offering the best tooth protection, particularly for children.

Understanding Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are slender plastic layers delicately placed on the chewing parts of molars and premolars. They act as a protective shield, guarding sensitive spots from bacteria and food remnants that can cause cavities. The team at Dental Sealants in Plymouth, NH, highly recommends tooth protection with sealants for cavity prevention and long-term dental health.

Dental sealants for kids offer a proactive approach to oral health, acting as a protective barrier against cavities and ensuring young smiles remain bright and healthy.

The Dental Sealant Procedure

Getting dental sealants is an easy and comfortable experience. First, our skilled dental team ensures your teeth are clean and dry. Then, they gently brush the sealant onto the chewing surfaces. We use a unique light to help the sealant bond perfectly with your teeth. You’ll be happy to know the entire process is swift and usually finished within a single visit.

Benefits of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants offer numerous advantages, making them an essential part of preventive dental care:

Cavity Prevention:

Dental sealants protect against bacteria and acids, reducing the risk of cavities in the back teeth, where decay commonly occurs.

Long-lasting Protection:

With proper care, dental sealants can last several years, providing prolonged tooth protection.

Painless and Non-Invasive:

Applying tooth sealants is a painless procedure and does not require drilling or anesthesia.

Suitable for Kids and Adults:

Children can significantly benefit from dental sealants as their permanent teeth come in, but adults can also opt for sealants as a preventive measure.

How Dental Sealants Work

Dental sealants act as protective barriers for the deep grooves and fissures on the chewing parts of molars and premolars. Because these areas can be challenging to clean thoroughly with regular brushing, they’re more prone to plaque accumulation and decay. By filling in these spaces, sealants create a smoother surface that’s simpler to keep clean and healthy.

Step 1: Examination:

The dentist examines the teeth, identifying deep grooves and fissures on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars.

Step 2: Cleaning:

The teeth are thoroughly cleaned to remove debris, plaque, or bacteria from the targeted areas.

Step 3: Isolation:

Isolation of the teeth is essential to keep them dry during the application process. Dental cotton or other isolation methods are used.

Step 4: Etching:

The teeth’s chewing surfaces are treated with a moderate acid solution. The roughened etching surface is ideal for a strong sealant bond.

Step 5: Rinsing and Drying:

Before the sealant is placed, the teeth are given a last rinse to remove any remaining etching solution and allowed to dry thoroughly.

Step 6: Sealant Application:

The liquid dental sealant is carefully painted onto the grooves and fissures of the teeth.

Step 7:

A special curing light hardens the sealant, making it durable and effective.

Step 8: Smooth Surface:

As the sealant hardens, it fills the deep grooves, forming a smooth and protective surface on the molars and premolars.

Step 9: Final Check:

The dentist ensures the sealant has properly bonded and covers all vulnerable areas.

Step 10: Bite Check:

The patient is asked to bite down to ensure the dental sealant is comfortable and does not interfere with the bite.

Step 11: Completion:

The dental sealant application process is complete, providing a protective barrier against plaque buildup and decay.

Dental sealants are an excellent preventive measure, especially for children, to safeguard their teeth and ensure long-term oral health. Regular dental check-ups will allow the dentist to monitor the condition of the sealants and make any necessary repairs or reapplications.

Conclusion

Dental sealants are a valuable tool in preventive dental care, protecting against cavities and decay. Our skilled dental professionals at Dental Arts of Plymouth, NH, can guide you through the dental sealant procedure, offering lasting tooth protection for kids and adults. Embrace this proactive approach to oral health, and ensure the longevity of your smile with dental sealants.

Call Now Schedule Now
Click to listen highlighted text!