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It’s no surprise that brushing and flossing your teeth every day is the best way to prevent cavities from forming, but sometimes good oral hygiene habits aren’t enough to protect your teeth’s enamel from decay. Fortunately, dental sealants can give your back teeth an additional barrier to protect them from bacteria that can eat away at their enamel. If you’re interested in learning more about how dental sealants can benefit you, check out these facts before scheduling your next appointment with the trusted team at Trail West Family Dentistry.
Overview of Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are very thin protective coatings that are made from plastic or resin material. They’re applied to your back teeth (where you chew) to protect the cracks and crevices that are difficult to clean thoroughly from experiencing decay. Normally, when bacteria that live in your mouth meet food particles, they produce acid that can eat away at your enamel. However, when you have sealants over your teeth, they act as a shield that prevents this acid from damaging your teeth. Tooth protection sealants can benefit anyone, but they are particularly helpful for young children who are still learning good dental habits.
How Are Dental Sealants Placed?
Dental sealants can be applied quickly and easily without any discomfort. Because of this, the dentist can often place them during your routine dental exam. Here’s how having dental sealants placed works:
- The dentist will perform your dental exam to make sure that your teeth are healthy and cavity-free.
- Then, they will dry your teeth to prepare them for the sealant.
- Once your teeth are dry, the dentist will lightly roughen their surface.
- After cleaning and drying them one more time, the sealants will be painted on and dried for less than a minute using a special light.
Benefits of Cavity Sealants
The best way to keep your teeth in tip-top shape is to prevent oral health problems from developing in the first place. Tooth protection sealants provide many oral health benefits, including:
- Protecting your back teeth from getting cavities
- Providing a natural aesthetic that looks like your natural tooth
- Being a pain-free, fast, affordable dental treatment
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
The lifespan of your dental sealants will depend on how well you care for them. With good oral hygiene habits, it’s common for cavity sealants to last as long as a decade.
How Much Do Dental Sealants Cost?
The cost of your dental sealants may be covered by your dental insurance plan. For information on what your dental insurance includes, please contact our office.
How Do You Care for Tooth Protection Sealants?
Taking care of dental sealants is as easy as caring for your natural teeth. Here are some steps to ensure your cavity sealant stay in good condition for years to come:
- Brush your teeth two times a day
- Floss and use mouth rinse every day
- Visit the dentist every six months for routine dental exams and professional cleanings
- Limit how many sugary foods you eat
Protect Your Smile with Dental Sealants in Greenville, SC
Your family’s smiles are worth protecting. If you’d love to take an extra step in preventing cavities from forming on your family’s smiles, dental sealants are a good place to start. At Trail West Family Dentistry, our compassionate team is committed to providing exceptional dental care to each of our patients of all ages. Contact us today to schedule your next routine dental exam and learn more about how dental sealants can keep your teeth cavity-free for years. We can’t wait to show you how convenient keeping your smile healthy and beautiful can be!