If you have a child between the ages of 6 and 12, you may have heard the dentist or hygienist talk about sealants as treatment for them. But what exactly are sealants and why are they recommended?
Sealants are a thin, protective coating made from plastic or other dental materials. To apply a sealant, your tooth needs to be clean and dry. In fact, keeping the area dry can often be the biggest challenge in applying the sealant! An acidic gel is then placed on the tooth, which will rough up the tooth surface giving the sealant something to adhere to. The gel will be rinsed off and the tooth dried again before the sealant is placed. Then a special blue light is used to cure (harden) the sealant. This process is repeated on each tooth.
Sealants work as a protective coating, keeping bacteria and food particles from settling into the pits of the teeth. Some people are born with deep pits on their molars and keeping them clean is a challenge. When that cavity-causing bacteria meets the food particles, it produces the acid that can cause cavities. Sealants create a barrier stopping that acid from forming on the biting surfaces.
If you have any questions about sealants, please call the office and we will be happy to help you!