What Is A Dental Sealant?

Tooth decay can cause a variety of problems. Left unchecked for too long it can eventually lead to the total destruction of the tooth and even the surrounding teeth. That is why dentists have a variety of services and solutions to respond to different levels of tooth decay. Minor tooth decay can sometimes be reversed or solved with a simple dental filling. However, in many cases it is required if tooth decay goes unchecked for a longer period of time, different dental procedures may become necessary. This is why prevention is so important. One cavity prevention method is dental sealants.

What Is A Dental Sealant?

A dental sealant is a thin protective coating that covers the back teeth and molars chewing surfaces. It can help decrease the risks of decay and prevent early signs of decay from causing a cavity. One common misconception is that sealants are a replacement for regular brushing in flossing. Sealants should be seen as a supplementary dental technique that can protect teeth. In fact, if you or your child is getting dental sealants, it is even more important that brushing and flossing happen daily.

How Do Sealants Work?

Cavities form when teeth are eroded by a mix of the sugars in food and the bacteria in our mouths. When food particles stay in our mouths long after eating, our teeth get more damaged. Flossing and brushing are effective ways to remove food particles. Dental sealants work by creating a thin barrier between your teeth and bacteria. Sealants are generally applied to molars directly on the chewing surface of the teeth.

How Old Do You Need To Be To Get Sealants?

Both children and adults can benefit from dental sealants. However, young children need to wait until their molars break through the gum line before they can get them. Molars tend to show up when kids are around 10-12 years old. So at that age, dentists may recommend that your children get dental sealants.

How Do You Get Dental Sealants?

To get dental sealants your dentist will start by cleaning and drying out your mouth. Next, a gel is placed on your teeth that increase the bond strength between the surface of the tooth and the sealant. The sealant is then applied and a special blue light is used to harden the sealant. The process is completely painless and very quick. Many dentists include it as part of their routine dental cleaning services.

Get Dental Sealants in Chicago

Parents and children who would like to get dental sealants in Chicago should contact All Star Dental for more information. We would be happy to set up an appointment.