One particular treatment we want to talk about is sealants. We use sealants to protect against tooth decay and help you and your children stay filling-free.
What is the Sealant?
Our teeth are not perfectly smooth surfaces. Each tooth has pits and grooves that are difficult to keep clean. This is why a sealant is so helpful.
Sealants are a thin, plastic resin coating that’s literally painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where toothbrushes have a hard time reaching. Occasionally, a special light is used to harden the sealant.
The treatment is typically completed in one visit.
It only takes a few moments to seal each tooth. We clean the teeth first. Then we pre-treat the chewing surfaces with a conditioner that allows the sealant to stick to the tooth. Finally, we paint the tooth enamel with the sealant.
Who Should Get Sealants?
Children and teenagers are good candidates for sealants because sealant protects their permanent molars and bi-cuspids from decay, and possibly eliminates the potential need for fillings or more extensive treatment later in life.
Children should get sealants as soon as their six-year molars come in (their first set of permanent molars) between the ages of five and seven.
The second set of permanent molars, which are called their “12-year molars,” come in between the ages of 11 and 14, and should also be treated with the sealant.
Sealants can last up to 10 years, but should be checked at regular dental visits to make sure they aren’t worn away or chipped.
When you bring your child in for their next dental visit, ask me or one of my staff if they would be a good candidate for sealants.
A Healthy Mouth is a Happy Mouth!
~Dr. Duffy
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