Dental sealants are preventive coatings that you can get to protect the biting surfaces of your teeth from harmful bacteria. They close off some of the gaps and ridges to stop plaque and acids from building up in the grooves of your teeth.
Sealants are made of plastic and other safe dental materials that will remain on your teeth for several years. Once they wear away, you can return to Albemarle Dental Associates for a reapplication. The team checks the condition of your sealants at every visit.
It takes only a few minutes for your dentist to apply dental sealants to the biting surfaces of all of your teeth. The team at Albemarle Dental Associates cleans and thoroughly dries your teeth first, then applies an acidic gel to your teeth to make the surfaces a bit rough. The roughness helps the sealants stick.
The team rinses the acidic formula off of your teeth, then paints on the liquid sealants. They then use a powerful blue light to harden the sealant material in place. The team can also paint sealants over teeth with minor or early signs of decay, which can stop the decay from worsening into a cavity.
Dental sealants are an important and highly effective preventive measure against cavities. Even if you brush your teeth twice a day, food particles and bacteria can build up in their grooves and erode the enamel.
Your molars are especially at risk for cavities and tooth decay because of their ridges and their hard-to-reach positions in your mouth. Plus, you use them for grinding and chewing your food. Research shows that sealants can reduce your risk of getting cavities in your molars by around 80%.
You can benefit from sealants at any age, and your dentist can apply them at any time. The earlier you get them, the more protection they offer. This is why the team at Albemarle Dental Associates recommends sealants for children starting around age 6 when their molars begin to appear.
You should keep an eye on your child’s developing mouth and consider booking an appointment for sealants every time you see new molars erupt.
Sealants offer protection from cavities for you and the whole family. Set up your next visit at Albemarle Dental Associates by calling the office or booking online today.