How Dental Sealants Help Protect Your Teeth

Protecting your teeth helps to prevent problems such as enamel wearing away, cavities, and sensitivity. Good oral hygiene will always help you protect your teeth, but there are also ways your dentist can assist you with protecting your teeth further. Dental sealants are one of the treatment options you have if you want to avoid cavities and damage to your teeth.

But what exactly are dental sealants and how do they help protect your teeth?

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin coatings that are applied to the teeth as a liquid. They are designed to protect the back teeth (molars and premolars), helping to preserve the chewing surfaces. The sealant is painted onto the area and the dentist then cures it to harden it and create a protective coating. After the treatment is complete, the sealant can help protect the teeth for years to come.

Dental sealants can be made from several materials. Two common options are resins, which might be plant-based or synthetic, and glass ionomers, which are glass powders mixed with a water-soluble acid. Sealants look clear, white, or can be slightly tinted. They're not visible while talking or laughing, so they won't affect what your teeth look like to you or other people.

Many dental insurance policies cover the cost of dental sealants so they can be even more affordable.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

Sealants work by providing an additional protective coating to the teeth. They protect the teeth from bacteria that could cause cavities and can also be used to prevent a cavity from getting bigger. Dental sealants are particularly useful for the back teeth because of how they are shaped. Your back teeth have lots of grooves that do a great job of chewing food. On the flip side, these grooves can also make it easier for food and bacteria to get trapped in your teeth, making it harder for you to keep them clean.

There isn't much that needs to be done to prepare someone for dental sealants. Thoroughly cleaning the teeth is important, so the dentist or a dental hygienist will first clean and dry your teeth so they're ready for the sealant. A small amount of an acid etching solution is then sometimes used on the surface of the teeth to make them a little rougher, which helps the sealant bond to them more effectively. Not all sealants require this step, but some of them work better with a rough surface. The teeth are rinsed and dried again, then the sealant is applied and cured with a light to harden it.

Dental sealants can't be used on teeth that have existing decay or fillings. They need to be reapplied every few years to keep them doing their job too. However, sealants are a quick, painless, and fantastic way to shield your teeth from damage. There's no downtime needed to recover and you can resume normal eating and drinking straight away after your appointment.

What Do Sealants Do to Keep Your Teeth Clean?

Dental sealants keep your teeth clean by preventing bacteria buildup, plaque, and cavities. They smooth out the grooves in your back teeth and form a protective coating to cover them.

Dental sealants could protect your teeth for up to about 4-5 years, lessening the likelihood of developing cavities in your molars and premolars. Sealants are a good choice for anyone who is prone to tooth decay and wants to benefit from that extra protection. Children and teenagers are often good candidates for sealants, and many adults can also find them beneficial. Sometimes sealants can be useful for preserving baby teeth until they are replaced by adult teeth.

Good oral hygiene is essential for keeping your teeth clean, but it's not always enough. Food and bacteria can still get into all the tiny spaces in your teeth, making it more difficult to prevent cavity-causing bacteria. By choosing dental sealants, you can help prevent the need for fillings, crowns, and other dental work further down the line.

Dental sealants are an affordable and effective way to preserve the health of your teeth. They can help prevent the need for more costly and complicated dental work later by reducing the risk of cavities developing. Remember that even once you have sealants applied, you still need to maintain your usual oral hygiene routine, including brushing and flossing. While sealants provide another key layer of protection, they shouldn’t replace the other dental care that you should be doing every day.

Where Can I Get Dental Sealants?

You can get dental sealants from reputable dentists. Grove City Dental is here to help when you're looking for professional dental sealants. You can guarantee professional results and compassionate treatment from everyone here at our Blackfoot office. We want to help you improve not just your dental health, but your overall health and happiness too.

At Grove City Dental, let us help you explore dental sealants and other options for protecting your teeth and maintaining your dental health. If you are interested in sealants for yourself or your child, our dental experts can determine whether they are the right option.

Call (208) 782-0242 today or fill out our new patient form if you're interested in choosing Grove City Dental to help you care for your smile. Every member of our friendly team will do their best to provide you with the support and advice you need.