Prevent Cavities with Dental Sealants
How can you save money on dental care? Prevent the issues from ever occurring! There are many ways to prevent such things as decay, chipped teeth, or Gingivitis. For now, we will focus on tooth decay and how you can prevent cavities with dental sealants.
What is a Sealant?
According to WebMD, “A Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth (usually the back teeth) – to prevent tooth decay.” The same way nail polish puts a protective coating over a nail, a sealants protects a tooth. It covers over the deep pits and fissures on molars so food and bacteria are less likely to get trapped.
The Application
The application of dental sealants is a very fast and painless process.
- An acid solution called Etchant is applied to the tooth’s surface which will help the sealant material bond to the tooth.
- After the Etchant is washed away, the teeth must be thoroughly dried.
- The sealant is then added into the occlusal grooves of the teeth.
- Finally a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden.
Should I Get Them?
As soon as a kid’s first molars erupt, sealants can be applied, especially if the molars have deep pits and fissures. If you are an adult who has never had sealants or had them at one time but they have since worn away, this preventative measure is for you too! When you schedule your next appointment at North County Dental Specialties ask us if you should get dental sealants.(760) 233-5887