Teaching your child to brush and floss their teeth daily is the best way to prevent cavities and build oral hygiene habits they can practice into adulthood. Sometimes no matter how much care we take, bacteria and infections may occur especially without regular dental visits. Luckily, there is another, much more effective way to prevent tooth decay: dental sealants.
According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tooth sealants prevent 80% of cavities in permanent molars for two years after application. They also continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to four years.
It can be hard to ensure clean teeth in children’s mouths, so tooth sealants are a great affordable option for families.
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT to protect your smile and eliminate the need for additional treatment in the future.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating placed on the grooves of the teeth to protect them from cavities. They are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where decay occurs most often.
The sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective barrier over the enamel of each tooth, sealing out food and bacteria.
Who Are the Best Candidates for Getting Tooth Sealants?
Due to the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are excellent candidates for sealants. However, adults, especially those highly susceptible to decay, can also benefit from dental sealants.
Regardless of age, everyone is a good candidate for tooth sealants especially if you have a trouble spot that you want to prevent becoming a cavity.
How Are Cavity Prevention Sealants Applied?
Our dental team will advise and create a treatment plan to give you a restored and strong smile. That is why we make applying dental sealants a simple, quick, and painless procedure:
- FIRST STEP: The tooth is cleaned, dried, and a cotton or absorbent material is placed around the tooth, so it stays dry.
- NEXT: An etching solution is applied to the tooth to roughen the surface and make adhesion more effective.
- THEN: The tooth is rinsed, dried, and a fresh cotton strip is placed around the tooth.
- FINALLY: Liquid sealant is applied to the tooth, which hardens in just a few seconds.
After the service has been completed, the cavity prevention sealant is now in place and will remain effective for several years. You and your family can rest assured knowing the tooth is protected and fortified against bacteria and plaque buildup.
Benefits of Dental Sealants
- Help fights tooth decay: Dental sealants offer protective coverage to keep plaque and food from building up in the hard-to-reach places in your back molars, effectively preventing cavities.
- Improves oral hygiene: Tooth sealants provide added support for your oral care routine.
- Natural-looking: Sealants are white or clear in color, making them virtually invisible when talking, smiling, or eating.
- Durable: Sealants are durable under the force of normal chewing and can last several years before a reapplication is needed.
- Quick, painless, and safe: Dental sealants are safe and effective, and the application is virtually painless.
You can have a protected smile without losing your natural smile. This will act as a boost in your oral health and save your teeth for years to come.
How Do You Care for Tooth Sealants?
Sealants can protect the teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing at regular dental checkups. Our family dentist, Jeffrey D. Peter, DMD, can replace sealants as necessary. During your routine dental visits, our dental team will be able to update you on how to take care of your sealants and evaluate your treatment needs.
While the sealant protects the biting surfaces of the teeth, the sides and gaps between your teeth are still susceptible to the buildup of bacteria from plaque and tartar. Be sure to brush all of the surfaces of your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste twice daily.
Even with proper dental care, cavities and infections can occur if you do not have regular dental visits. This is because dental teams are equipped with instruments and techniques to remove hardened plaque that regular brushing cannot remove. In addition to sealants, routine dental appointments are necessary to keep your oral health strong.
You should also continue to floss your teeth and gum line daily to loosen bacterial plaque and food particles in addition to using mouthwash and regular dental visits.
How Much Do Cavity Prevention Sealants Cost?
Since dental sealants offer excellent protection against cavities, many health insurance providers will cover the cost of dental sealants. Check with your dental insurance carrier to determine if sealants are covered under your plan. Our office offers payment plans and can give you a more realistic quote for your treatment when you schedule an appointment.
Peter Family & Cosmetic Dentistry cares about you and your family and wants to provide you with excellent treatment without emptying your savings. We will work for you to give your family the essential services they need at an affordable price to keep your family smiling. At the end of the day, dental treatment is necessary and should not be sacrificed or set aside because of cost.
Get Dental Sealants at Peter Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Today!
Are you considering dental sealants in the Independence area? Dental sealants from Peter Family & Cosmetic Dentistry are relatively inexpensive and easy to apply. In one dental visit, they provide protection for the biting surfaces of your back teeth. Do not wait for strong dental health and get dental sealants today!
If you want to protect your and your family’s dental health, a good option is dental sealants. At Peter Family & Cosmetic Dentistry we will create a treatment plan based on your smile needs and wants. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let us help you protect your smile!