Sealants
We often hear that flossing and brushing are the best ways to protect our teeth from decay; however, for many of us flossing and brushing alone do not provide enough preventative care to deter cavities and plaque. When deep ridges or grooves are naturally in the teeth, no matter how hard we try, we no one is able to clean these deep canyons and crevasses. Dental sealants are most effective at protecting the most decay-susceptible areas of the teeth.
A dental sealant can be provided by Dr. Dowsett’s team in just one short visit, and can even be done during a routine cleaning appointment. During the procedure, a dental assistant will paint on a thin plastic coating to clean teeth in need of extra protection. The sealant hardens quickly, and you can resume normal activity following the appointment. The thin white coating keeps the underlying teeth safe while preventing a place for bacteria to live and grow. The protection of sealants can last up to ten years, and Dr. Dowsett will continue to check for any chips or wear at your regular dental appointments to ensure effective adherence.
Dental sealants are most effective for children when their permanent molars are erupting or coming into place and when these teeth are most cavity-prone: between the ages of six and fourteen. Additionally, there is evidence that sealing teeth early and not allowing the cavity producing bacteria home to live in, will keep the infection from continuing and affecting other teeth as we grow up. Protecting children’s teeth, specifically the molars and premolars, with sealants can support a lifetime of dental health.
If you think you or your child may be a strong candidate for dental sealants, call us today. We can make an appointment for the application or include it with your next scheduled cleaning appointment.
