What are dental sealants? How can they help protect your child’s teeth?

In order to get the perfect sealant, you should get in touch with expert dentists at 14th Avenue Dentistry. Although the process is more or less standard, its efficacy largely depends on the dentist’s experience and expertise.

What are dental sealants?

Simply put, dental sealants are thin layers of plastic or resin which are used to provide an extra layer of protection to the outer covering of a teeth. Teeth are covered in enamel and dental sealants sit right on top of these.

When should my child get dental sealants?

The best time to get your child dental sealants is when he or she is between 6 and 14 years of age. These are exactly the years when children’s teeth are vulnerable to cavities. Hence, if applied properly, the dental sealants can protect their teeth from an early stage in life.

Beyond the age, if your child is under 18 years of age, she or he can still get a dental sealant treatment done. As a matter of fact, even adults who don’t have any kind of decays or fillings used to cover them in their teeth, can benefit from a dental sealant applying process.

The application process

The application process for dental sealants is pretty linear and standardized. First and foremost, the tooth on which the sealant is to be applied, is cleaned up thoroughly. Once it has been ensured that the tooth under consideration along with its neighbouring area is reasonably clean, a cotton is used to dry up the tooth. A dentist may use acid to have the edges of a tooth’s surface show up. Then, finally, a sealant is applied.

The efficacy of dental sealants

Most of us believe that brushing and flossing are enough for keep our teeth clean. That said, there are certain areas where food particles can get stuck and cause damage over the long run. Hence sealants act as additional layers to protect the tooth itself from getting damaged because of stuck food in these areas.

Are there any risks?

Sealants are mere layers of plastic used to cover the outer layer of a tooth. They hardly carry any risk.