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Dental Sealants

Brushing, flossing, and fluoride play an important role in maintaining your dental health. But food debris often becomes trapped in the grooves of back teeth (molars) where it’s difficult to reach. In the past, the development of cavities in these areas was almost an accepted fact of life, especially among children.

Today, however, we can better protect your teeth by treating them with a dental sealant. Dental sealants are liquid plastic resins that are applied to the surfaces of susceptible teeth, sealing them off from decay. Sealants are very durable, lasting anywhere from three to ten years. As long as a sealant is uncorrupted, it will continue to form a protective barrier between a tooth and destructive bacteria.

Why we recommend sealants for children

While dental sealants are appropriate for at-risk adults, they are more widely recommended for children and teenagers. Most of the decay in these age groups appears early in teeth with surface grooves. A sealant should be first applied at about age six when the first permanent molars appear. Teeth should be treated again at about age 12 after the second permanent molars erupt.

The application process is painless and takes only a few minutes. (It is important that children be able to sit still throughout the entire treatment.) Susceptible teeth are first cleaned with a special toothpaste. They are then treated with a substance that will help bond the sealant to the tooth. Finally, the sealant is brushed on and allowed to dry (about a minute). Once in place, sealants are virtually invisible.

Dental sealants are a safe, proven method of preventing cavities in both adults and children. When compared to the price of dental fillings, they are clearly a more cost-effective way to deal with the problem of tooth decay.

If you would like more information about dental sealants, call 936-756-3611 or send us an e-mail. To schedule an appointment, go to Make An Appointment now.

Source: American Dental Association (www.ada.org)