What Are the Benefits of Dental Sealants?
At Santa Teresa Dental, we are proponents of preventive dental care as the first line of defense against tooth decay and other oral health problems. We are pleased to offer a range of preventive services, including dental sealants, to keep tooth decay and cavities at bay. We are all about laying the foundation for a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles!
What Are Dental Sealants?
Your child’s permanent back teeth, known as the premolars and molars, have deep pits and crevices on their chewing surfaces. These grooves are hard to clean, even with the best brushing practices. That is why most tooth decay in children and teens develops on these tooth surfaces.
Dental sealants are ultra-thin plastic coatings we apply to the chewing surfaces of your child’s molars and premolars to form a protective shield, sealing off cavity-causing bacteria. Dental sealants are shown to significantly reduce the risk of cavities in children, teenagers, and patients of all ages.
When Should Sealants Be Placed?
We recommend placing sealants as soon as your child or teen’s permanent molars emerge. The first set of molars usually comes in around age 6, while the second set usually appears around age 12. Sealing these teeth right from the start will help ensure they stay healthy and cavity-free.
But what if your child or teen misses the six or 12-year mark? Even though children benefit the most from placing sealants when the permanent molars come in, people of all ages can benefit from this preventive measure against tooth decay and cavities. Our experienced dentists will evaluate your needs and help you determine whether dental sealants are ideal for you or your child.
Why Are Sealants Better than Cavity Repair?
Dental sealants offer a cost-effective, non-invasive preventive solution to prevent tooth decay, which destroys healthy tooth structure. Every time a tooth is filled, or a filling is replaced, more of the tooth structure is lost, impacting the long-term health and integrity of the affected tooth. Dental sealants help keep the teeth strong and healthy and save time, costs, and discomfort associated with repairing cavities, especially in teeth with extensive decay.
What Is the Dental Sealant Application Procedure?
Applying dental sealants is a quick and painless process. Our dentist or hygienist will start by cleaning, rinsing, and drying the teeth. Next is placing a cleansing liquid on the tooth surfaces and then rinsing it off. The last step is painting the sealant material on the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth. It takes about a minute for the sealant to dry and form a protective shield to prevent tooth decay.
Maintaining Long-Term Healthy Smiles
At Santa Teresa Dental, we believe in a comprehensive approach to maintaining healthy smiles. Your child’s preventive dental plan should include meticulous oral hygiene practices, fluoride application, smile-healthy food choices, and regular dental cleanings and exams.
Placing dental sealants is no substitute for good home oral hygiene. We recommend that your child continue to brush and floss regularly to lower the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health concerns. We also recommend limiting sugary or acidic foods and beverages and avoiding hard foods or candies, which can damage the dental sealant material and your child’s natural tooth enamel.
Make sure you schedule your child’s twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings. Our team will remove plaque and tartar buildup and ensure your child’s smile stays in tip-top shape.
Dental Sealants Near Me in Morgan Hill, CA
Visit Santa Teresa Dental to learn more about protecting your child’s smile with dental sealants. Dr. Huang, Dr. Ann, and our entire team are committed to ensuring our patients enjoy healthy, cavity-free smiles for life. We invite you to call us at 408-782-6568 to schedule an appointment or request one online today!