Protect Your Teeth with Preventive Dental Sealants
Did you know that the key to maintaining healthy teeth and a radiant smile lies in taking preventive measures against tooth decay? Dental sealants are thin protective coatings designed to shield the deep grooves and depressions in your teeth from harmful cavity-causing bacteria, significantly reducing your risk of developing tooth decay.
While children during the cavity-prone years (ages six to 14) are typically the perfect candidates, many adults can also benefit from dental sealants. To learn more about dental sealant treatment and determine if you’re a candidate, contact our dental office in Holyoke, MA, by calling (413) 538-7400 to get started.
Who Should Consider Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants can be life-changing for individuals prone to tooth decay. These thin liquid coatings are painted onto the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (molars and premolars) to create a protective barrier against harmful cavity-causing bacteria, helping preserve tooth enamel and promote long-term oral health.
Children with Baby Teeth and Permanent Teeth
Children are often at higher risk of developing cavities due to their still-developing oral hygiene habits and the deep grooves in their newly erupted teeth. Dental sealants are an essential preventive treatment for children when:
- Their permanent molars and premolars first erupt
- Their teeth have deep grooves and depressions where food particles can get trapped
- They’re in the cavity-prone years (ages six to 14)
- Their baby teeth have deep depressions that need protection
Protecting baby teeth with dental sealants is particularly beneficial since these teeth preserve the space for adult permanent teeth. If baby teeth are lost prematurely due to tooth decay, permanent teeth may become overcrowded.
Adults Seeking Optimal Oral Health
The benefits of dental sealants aren’t limited to children. Adults can qualify for dental sealants when they have:
- Healthy teeth without existing dental fillings or decay in their molars
- Teeth with deep grooves that are difficult to clean properly
- A desire for additional protection against cavity-causing bacteria
- Newly erupted wisdom teeth that would benefit from protection
For adults with healthy teeth, dental sealants can be a worthy investment for long-term oral health, potentially saving thousands in restorative dental costs.
Other Ideal Candidates for Dental Sealants
- Patients with Deep Grooves and Pits: Individuals whose molars and premolars have deep depressions and grooves leading to tooth decay are excellent candidates, as sealants create smoother tooth surfaces that are easier to clean.
- Patients with Orthodontic Appliances: People undergoing orthodontic treatment may find proper oral hygiene challenging. Dental sealants provide an extra layer of protection during treatment.
- Special Needs Individuals: Those with physical or cognitive disabilities that make oral hygiene difficult can benefit significantly from the protective properties of dental sealants.
The Dental Sealant Process
When you visit our Holyoke dental office for dental sealants, your dentist or hygienist will:
- Clean and dry the tooth thoroughly
- Apply an etching solution to roughen the tooth surface for better adhesion
- Rinse and dry the tooth again
- Apply the sealant material to shield the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of molar teeth
- Use a curing light to harden the sealant material
- Ensure the sealants bond properly to the tooth surfaces
Dental sealants are made from various materials, including medical-grade resins (plant or synthetic), ionomers (glass powder combined with other materials), and other safe dental materials designed specifically for this preventive treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental sealants are highly recommended for preventing tooth decay, especially in teeth with deep depressions and grooves. While not absolutely necessary, they provide significant protection against disease-causing bacteria.
Patients whose teeth have been previously filled or don’t contain deep grooves are not ideal candidates for dental sealants, as the procedure would not offer additional protection.
With proper care, dental sealants can protect your teeth for up to 10 years, though regular dental check-ups are needed to ensure they remain intact and effective.
Children should get dental sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in (typically between ages six and 14). Adults can get sealants at any time to protect healthy teeth from decay.
Determine Your Dental Sealant Candidacy Today!
Dental sealants are a valuable preventive measure for both children and adults seeking to maintain healthy teeth and prevent tooth decay. For children, dental sealants help protect baby teeth and ensure proper spacing for permanent teeth, while for adults, they serve as an extra layer of protection against dental issues.
To determine if dental sealants will help improve your oral health, contact our dentist in Holyoke by calling (413) 538-7400 today. We proudly serve Holyoke, Westfield, Southampton, South Hadley, and the Greater Springfield area.