Dental Sealant Treatment in Roanoke, VA
One of the main areas we focus on in Roanoke pediatric dentistry is preventive care. That means helping to set your child up for success and for a lifetime of healthy smiles. One way we can help is by using dental sealants.
Teaching your child how to brush and floss properly is essential to keeping their smile healthy. But even the most diligent patient can have problems getting every nook and cranny in their mouth clean. This can be especially true on our molars – the surfaces of these teeth are rough and jagged, and food debris can get left behind. This is then a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to decay and cavities.
Thin Dental Sealants in Roanoke
Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating that adheres to the chewing surface of the teeth to form a barrier to prevent cavities from forming. Sealants can even stop early-stage decay from progressing to cavities.
When dental sealants are used, the risk of cavities can be reduced by nearly 80% in the molars. The Centers for Disease Control says that school-age children who do not have sealants are nearly three times more likely to get cavities than children who do have sealants.
American Dental Association compares Dental Sealants
The American Dental Association compares dental sealants to a raincoat for the teeth – just like a raincoat keeps you dry in a downpour, a sealant can keep your tooth protected during an acid attack. Everyone’s mouth naturally has bacteria that lives in it. When this bacteria mixes with leftover food and drink particles, it produces acid. These acids can attack our teeth, creating small holes, or cavities in them.
While both children and adults can benefit from sealants, the earlier you get them the better. Sealing your molars as soon as they erupt can ensure they remain cavity-free.
The process of getting dental sealants is quick and easy. Your teeth will be cleaned and then dried before placing an acidic gel on the teeth. This gel works to roughen the tooth surface just enough to be able to form a strong bond between the tooth and the sealant. The gel is then rinsed off and your teeth are dried again before the sealant is applied. A special blue light is used to cure, or harden, the sealant.
Sealants work to prevent decay from occurring, but can also be used to cover over areas of very mild decay to keep them from spreading and causing further damage. Sealants can last for several years before they need to be replaced. Because they are clear, your dentist can keep an eye on what is happening and take action when needed.
Contact us For Dental Sealants in Roanoke
It’s important that your children understand that even though their teeth may have a sealant, it isn’t a replacement for proper brushing and flossing. In order to keep their smiles healthy and strong, children should continue to brush and floss regularly and maintain their routine appointments with us.
FAQ’s
Why are dental sealants important?
Dental sealants provide extra protection to help stave off decay and cavities. Tooth decay is the leading childhood disease in America currently. Dental sealants can work to seal off the teeth from harmful acid attacks, keeping them strong and healthy for years to come
Are dental sealants helpful in preventing cavities?
Yes, dental sealants are very helpful in helping to prevent cavities. Even the most diligent toothbrushes can’t always adequately remove debris from all of the nooks and crannies in our teeth. Dental sealants work to add an additional layer of protection where it is needed most – on the uneven chewing surfaces of the molars.
How do dental sealants protect your teeth?
Sealants prevent decay from being able to start by providing a layer of protection to the tooth’s surface. They can also be used to cover areas that may have mild decay in order to prevent the decay from spreading further. Sealants are essentially a thin plastic layer that coats the chewing surface of the teeth, and can last for many years, keeping decay from setting in.
How long do dental sealants treatment take?
Getting your teeth sealed is a quick, easy, and pain-free process. The dentist will clean and dry your teeth, and then place a special gel on your teeth. The gel roughens the surface of the teeth slightly in order to ensure a proper bond between the tooth and sealant. Once the gel is rinsed off, the sealant is applied and a special light will harden the sealant.
Do dental sealants need to be removed or replaced?
If your child takes proper care of his or her teeth, sealants can last up to 10 years. By maintaining twice yearly checkups with your child’s dentist, you can ensure if and when your child’s sealants need to be replaced, it can happen before any decay can have time to set in.
