Do Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities?
What are Sealants? Sealants protect the nooks and crannies in your molars from tooth decay by “sealing out” food and plaque that can form. Sealants are usually for children, but adults can also get sealants if they are cavity free. They are applied to children’s teeth when their permanent molars and premolars erupt. This way, the dental sealants protect their teeth during the cavity-prone years from 6 to 14.
What Are Sealants?
Dental sealants are a thin coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars to help prevent tooth decay. The sealant material bonds into the nooks and crannies of the teeth, to form a protective seal over the enamel of each tooth.
The Application Process
Applying dental sealants is a painless process, taking only a few minutes for your dental hygienist to apply the sealant to each tooth.
- Your teeth are scrupulously cleaned.
- After cleaning, each tooth is dried, gauze is put around the teeth to assure they remain dry.
- A solution is applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth to abrade them, which helps the sealant bond to the teeth more thoroughly.
- The teeth are once again rinsed and dried.
- The final step involves painting the sealant onto the chewing surface of the tooth, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens.
How Do Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities?
- Brushing and flossing your teeth is still the best way to prevent cavities, but brushing the back molars is difficult because of the uneven surface of those teeth. They are the perfect place for cavity-causing bacteria and leftover food to hang out.
- Dental sealants cover the clefts in the molars and help to protect teeth from tooth decay by sealing out food. Dental sealants help keep those back teeth stay clean.
- After the dental sealant is on, food and bacteria are unable to settle on those teeth, which prevents cavities from forming.
- 9 out of 10 cavities occur in molars, and dental sealants reduce the risk of decay in the molars by nearly 80 percent. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released a report on the importance of sealants for school-aged children. According to the CDC, “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.”
Can Adults Benefit from Sealants?
Dental sealants are not just for children and adolescents. Adults can also benefit from sealants, but the sooner the better. Molars first erupt around 6 years old and the second molars break through around age 12-14 years old. Sealing these teeth as soon as they erupt can keep them free of cavities from the very beginning. Adults with cavity-free molars can also benefit from dental sealants.
Regular Dental Appointments with Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS
Check-ups with Dr. Evanson every six months are recommended by the American Dental Association. Regular dental visits are crucial to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Caring for your child’s teeth creates the groundwork for healthy oral care that can last a lifetime. Research has proven that dental sealants significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay in the molars of children, adolescents, and adults. The earlier they are applied the more individuals benefit.
Dr. Evanson has been providing excellent General, Family, Cosmetic and Restorative dental care since 1994. Her office in Parker, Colorado, is also convenient to the surrounding communities of Highlands Ranch, Aurora, Castle Rock, and Lone Tree. Call (720) 409-0008 to make an appointment or contact us online and have her check out your children’s molars to see if they are ready for sealants!
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