Dental Sealants

What Are Tooth Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin, tooth-colored acrylic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to protect against decay. It is common practice to paint sealants onto young children’s teeth as each permanent molar erupts, but parents can benefit from the added protection as well.

Why Does Your Child Need Dental Sealants?

Kids naturally have smaller, more uneven grooves in their back teeth, and sometimes they are unable to brush effectively as a result. Inevitably, these teeth are more cavity-prone because it is easier for bacteria and germs to linger in these areas and out of reach of a toothbrush. Tooth sealants eliminate this problem by smoothing out the surface and keeping debris out.

Dental Sealants Process

The application process is easy; the strong acrylic coating is simply painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The tooth-colored coating seals and smooths the deep, uneven gaps, providing a tough protective barrier against plaque, bacteria, and harmful acids from certain foods.

Benefits of Dental Sealants

• Dental sealants safeguard back teeth from plaque build-up and food particles that regular brushing and flossing can’t reach.
• It takes mere minutes to apply tooth sealants, and the coating is strong enough to withstand the tremendous force that comes with chewing food.
• Once applied, sealants can last for years before showing signs of wear and needing to be reapplied.

Want to protect your child’s smile from harmful plaque? Book an appointment for dental sealants at our Taylor or West Bloomfield dental office today!