Dental Sealants Protect Your Kid’s Teeth

Sealants and how do they Work?

Dental sealants are a resin material applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars). It acts as a barrier that prevents bacterial plaque from entering the teeth’s pits and fissures by depriving it of the food it needs to survive.

By creating a barrier against plaque and food, sealants are an extremely effective way to protect your child from tooth decay.  Sealants have been shown to reduce cavities by 70% compared to unsealed teeth. More Info.

Do sealants last?

Sealants generally last several years.  They are able to withstand normal chewing forces and as long as they last they remain intact, they protect the sealed pits and fissures from decay.  It is important to stay away from eating hard candy (jaw breakers) and chewing ice cubes as anything chewed that can break a tooth can fracture a sealant.

Does the procedure hurt?

NOT AT ALL.  Sealing a tooth involves a quick, painless procedure that requires no numbing or cutting into the tooth.  Additionally, having sealants placed is one of the best ways to preserve natural tooth structure in conjunction to brushing 2 times a day for 2 minutes and flossing.

How Long Does it take to have a sealant placed?

Once the tooth has been cleaned with pumice to make sure all food and bacteria are cleansed from the grooves and fissures of the tooth, barriers to keep the tooth dry are then placed.  The procedure takes approximately 2 minutes per tooth to place the sealant and light cure it.

Is the tooth easier to keep clean once it is sealed?

Yes.  Once the tooth has been sealed it decreases the surface area of the tooth.  The pits and fissures are filled with the resin that the toothbrush bristles cannot reach.  This makes the tooth more cleansable.

To schedule your child’s appointment at Wild for a Smile Children's Dentistry for sealants call 970-506-1339.