TEETH SEALANTS

High-Quality Teeth Sealants

The prevention of cavities starts with proper brushing and flossing. Still, sometimes food and cavity-causing bacteria can be left behind in your teeth' grooves–especially the back molars. To help keep those teeth clean and cavity-free, dentists often use teeth sealants. A sealant is a thin, protective coating that adheres to your molars' chewing surface and prevents bacteria and acid from settling on your teeth.

Sealants can help cavities from forming and may prolong the process of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity. According to the American Dental Association, "sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control states that, "school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants."

Sealants can play a vital role in your child's overall dental health!

Teeth with Sealant — Colorado Springs, CO — Smile Heart Dental Hygiene

Sealants can play a vital role in your child's overall dental health!

Who Can Get Sealants?

It's recommended that school-aged children (ages 6-12) get sealants, but even adults can benefit from sealants. The first molars break through around age 6, and the second molars around age 12. Sealing these teeth as soon as they come through can keep them cavity-free from the start, which helps save time and money in the long run.

How Are Sealants Applied?

Your dental hygienist first cleans and dries your teeth before placing an acidic gel on your teeth. This gel "roughs up" the surface of your teeth so that the sealant can bond to the teeth. She will then rinse off the gel and dry your teeth again before applying the sealant onto each tooth's grooves. Your dental hygienist will then use a special blue light to harden the sealant.

Can Sealants Be Placed Over Cavities?

Sealants are only applied to areas with early decay to prevent further damage to the tooth. Your dental hygienist will want to watch that tooth closely to make sure the early decay doesn't become a cavity.

How Long Do Sealants Last?

You can expect sealants to last for several years before they need to be reapplied. During your regular dental visit, your dental hygienist will check the sealant's condition and reapply them as needed.