Your dental health is the key to maintaining overall health, and one of the most basic aspects of oral care that you need to pay attention to prevent cavities. The preventive methods for cavities include the use of dental sealants as recommended by a dental practice in Glen Oaks, NY. Keep reading to learn more about dental sealants and how they play a major part in fighting cavities, as well as the process itself, their benefits, and why residents of Glen Oaks, NY should include this preventive measure in keeping themselves in the best oral health possible.

What are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are placed on the molars and premolars, which are the teeth in the rear, that are used for chewing. These teeth are more prone to cavities because of their pits and grooves, which may collect germs and food particles. By acting as a barrier, sealants lower the risk of tooth decay by keeping food particles and germs out of these cracks.

How Dental Sealants Are Placed

The procedures for the application of dental sealant are simple, pain-free, and can be done in one sitting at the clinic. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Cleaning the Teeth: The teeth needing seals are cleaned to remove all tooth decay and food particles from the teeth makeup.

2. Drying the Teeth: The teeth are then dried and wrapped with an absorbent material, such as cotton, to keep them dry during the procedure.

3. Applying the Acid Solution: Its activity is predominant in the chewing aspect of teeth so an acidic solution is applied to them. Etching is a roughening of the surface which assists the sealant in bonding to your tooth.

4. Rinsing and Drying Again: The acid solution is then rinsed from the teeth and they are dried again.

5. Applying the Sealant: The dental sealant is brushed onto the tooth enamel, where it attaches to the tooth and hardens. At times a special curing light is used to set the sealant as soon as possible.

Dental Sealants Benefits

There are many benefits to using dental sealants as part of our cavity prevention protocol:

1. Effective Cavity Prevention: Sealing the enamel of each tooth creates a barrier, which greatly decreases the opportunities for cavities. According to research, sealants can cut the chances of getting cavities in molars by almost 80%.

2. Long-Lasting Protection: Sealants last between 3-10 years before needing to be redone. They will also keep an eye on the state of the sealants when you come in for your regular dental check-ups and replace them, if necessary.

3. Painless and Non-Invasive: The process of placing dental sealants is fast, pain-free, and non-invasive, which makes it the perfect solution for patients who are fearful or hesitant to have treatment done.

4. Cost-Effective: In the long run, saving money with all of those cavities you have to fill costs more, and seals offer great insurance against having to get a filling, or crown, or root canal.

Preventing cavities is why dental sealants are so important, and they offer a simple solution that can also keep teeth strong through decades to come. When they become part of their oral health routine, it offers countless benefits such as a lower chance of cavities in Glen Oaks, NY residents better dental savings, and improved overall dental well-being. If you have not yet thought about dental sealants for you or your children, now is the perfect time to contact your family dentist and get started on fostering a healthier smile.