Sealants

Sealants are special treatments that can be applied to teeth to keep your teeth protected from food particles and bacteria that can cause tooth decay. These sealants start out as a liquid and are applied to the outside of the tooth. It then hardens and remains as a protective coating that will remain over the tooth for as long as 10 years. These sealants are made from a special resin that is durable and protective for any tooth that it’s applied to. Sealants are often applied to children’s teeth, but they are often recommended for adults as well.

Protection From Decay

Getting dental sealants is a great way to get strong protection for a tooth. It is easy to have a sealant applied, and they are highly affordable. Dental sealants fill in and cover a tooth’s deep grooves and become a barrier there. They protect the enamel of the tooth and its grooves from the plaque and food that is difficult to reach with brushing and flossing. An easy solution to protecting a tooth, it takes just minutes to apply a sealant to a tooth.

Sealants are strong and durable, and normal chewing won’t affect them. They can last many years before they need to be reapplied. We often recommend that children get sealants, but they are also recommended for adults to protect their teeth from plaque and decay.

For children, it’s helpful to get sealants applied to teeth as early as possible. The earlier that they get them, the more good they can do for a child’s teeth. If you are interested in getting sealants for your child, or you want some for your own teeth, talk to the dentist at your next dental appointment about how they can benefit you or your child.

Getting Dental Sealants Applied

Our team at North Florida Dentistry is highly experienced at applying dental sealants and can apply them easily and quickly when you have your next dental exam. First, your teeth will be examined to see whether there is any decay on the tooth. If there is not, our team can apply the coating right to the tooth’s biting surfaces to create a coating that is like a plastic shell. The sealant material is then hardened by the use of an ultraviolet light directed at it. All of this is pain-free and should not cause any discomfort.

Once sealants are applied, taking care of your teeth as normal is required. The teeth should still be brushed and flossed as they normally would. They can last for upwards of 10 years when you take care of your teeth. It’s important to keep getting your dental cleanings and exams every six months.

When you have a dental sealant, it works by keeping the pits and grooves of the teeth sealed off so that they aren’t vulnerable to plaque and food and bacteria. Those pits and grooves are common places for bacteria to collect because they are the harder areas of the teeth to clean. This can especially be the case for children, but it’s also true for older adults. When you have your dental exams after getting sealants, the health of those sealants is evaluated every time to see whether they are still in good condition. If not, they may need to be reapplied, or they may need touchups done to them to strengthen them.

If you are interested in sealants, our team at North Florida Dentistry can help. Talk to the dentist about getting this preventative treatment of your teeth or your children’s teeth.