Thanks to modern technology, we have more ways than ever to effectively treat cavities and tooth decay. However, when it comes to taking care of your teeth, prevention is always the best treatment plan. Dental sealants are one safe and simple way to protect your teeth from cavities.
A dental sealant is a thin coating that is painted onto the surface of your teeth. Sealants can be made of a variety of different materials, but here at Country Club Dental in Flagstaff, we use acrylic sealants that match your tooth color.
What Does a Sealant Do for Your Teeth?
Your teeth have ridges and grooves that can trap food particles. You can’t always reach these tricky places with brushing and flossing, but dental sealants coat the entire surface of your tooth and act as a barrier against plaque and acid attacks.
Sealants have been used for nearly five decades as a preventive measure against plaque and tooth decay. They are safe, reliable, and effective in protecting your teeth from cavities.
Who Can Get Sealants?
Dental sealants are not effective on teeth that already have cavities or fillings. For this reason, sooner is better than later for getting your first sealants. Dental sealants for children should be applied on their first set of molars around age six, and then reapplied when the adult molars erupt.
Children are not the only candidates for dental sealants, however. Adults who have healthy teeth without fillings can also protect them from cavities using sealants.
The Dental Sealant Procedure
Applying dental sealants is a quick, easy, and painless procedure. Following a thorough cleaning, we proceed with the following steps:
- Each tooth is wiped dry with a cotton swab and surrounded with absorbent material to keep it dry through the procedure.
- The surface of the tooth is roughened with an acid solution to help the sealant bond properly.
- Your teeth are rinsed and dried completely.
- The acrylic sealant is painted onto your enamel where it bonds and hardens.
Once these steps are completed, you’re all set! You can eat and drink normally without any restrictions.
How Do You Care for Teeth with Sealants?
To keep your teeth healthy, it is important to maintain a proper oral healthcare routine, even if you have dental sealants. Keeping up with these best practices will help keep your smile strong and healthy!
A good dental care routine includes:
- Brushing and flossing daily
- Eating a balanced diet
- Avoiding tobacco products
- Limiting alcohol
- Visiting the dentist regularly
How Long Does a Dental Sealant Last?
Dental sealants offer long-lasting protection against tooth decay. According to the CDC, they can protect teeth from 80% of cavities for up to two years, and 50% of cavities for four years.
In some cases, sealants have been shown to last as long as 9 years. However, sealants are easy to replace—if they ever fall out, a quick trip to the dentist is all you need to restore their protection to your teeth.
Dental Sealants in Flagstaff
Dental sealants are a great way to protect your teeth from cavities and prevent the hassle of getting a filling. Preventing a dental problem is always easier than treating it, but our experienced and knowledgeable team at Country Club Dental is here to help with both treatment and prevention.
Our goal is to provide you with consistent, high-quality dental care at a reasonable cost. Contact us online or call 928-526-4314 to schedule an appointment for dental sealants today!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (7/17/22). Photo by Josue Michel on Unsplash
