Dental Sealants

Extra Protection Where Cavities Can Easily Develop

Even with careful brushing and flossing, some areas of your teeth can be difficult to keep completely clean. The chewing surfaces of your back teeth have natural pits and grooves where food particles and bacteria can collect. Some of these grooves are so narrow that toothbrush bristles have difficulty reaching them.

Dental sealants provide an additional layer of protection for these vulnerable areas. At Foley Family Dentistry, we can evaluate your teeth or your child’s teeth and determine whether sealants would be a helpful part of an overall preventive care plan.

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What Are Dental Sealants?

A dental sealant is a thin protective material applied to the chewing surface of a tooth, most commonly a molar or premolar. The sealant flows into the small pits and grooves in the tooth and then hardens, creating a smoother surface that is easier to keep clean.

By covering these cavity-prone areas, sealants create a barrier that helps keep food particles and cavity-causing bacteria out of the deeper grooves of the tooth.

Sealants do not replace brushing, flossing, or regular dental visits. Instead, they provide another tool for helping prevent tooth decay.

Who Can Benefit From Dental Sealants?

Sealants are often associated with children because newly erupted permanent molars can be particularly vulnerable to cavities. Protecting these teeth early may help children keep them healthy as they grow.

However, sealants are not just for kids. Teenagers and adults with healthy teeth that have deep grooves or other risk factors for decay may benefit from them as well.

Not every tooth needs to be sealed. We consider factors such as the shape and condition of the tooth, previous cavities, oral hygiene habits, and overall cavity risk before recommending treatment.

What Is It Like to Get Dental Sealants?

Applying a sealant is a straightforward, noninvasive process. There is no drilling involved when a sealant is being placed on a healthy tooth.

First, we clean and prepare the tooth so the sealant can bond properly. The material is then carefully applied to the grooves of the tooth and hardened. We will check the sealant and your bite before you leave.

The process typically takes only a few minutes for each tooth and can often be completed as part of a preventive dental visit.

How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?

Sealants can provide protection for several years, but they can gradually wear down or occasionally chip over time. During your regular dental checkups, we can examine existing sealants to make sure they are still intact and providing protection.

If a sealant has become worn or damaged, we can determine whether it should be repaired or replaced.

A Simple Addition to Preventive Care

Preventing a cavity is always preferable to treating one after it develops. For patients who are more susceptible to decay in the grooves of their back teeth, dental sealants can provide an additional layer of protection alongside good home care and regular dental visits.

If you are wondering whether sealants would be beneficial for you or your child, we can evaluate your individual cavity risk and help you make an informed decision.

Call for more information or to schedule an appointment with Foley Family Dentistry in Foley, AL.

Call (251) 257-7009