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Dental Sealants
Tooth decay is the most widespread dental disease among children. Fortunately, the dentists at Tippit Dental Group can help prevent or reduce the incidence of decay by applying sealants to your child’s teeth.
What causes tooth decay?
Decay is caused by dental plaque, a thin sticky colorless bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. This bacteria feeds on the sugars and starches in the food, converting it to energy and acidic byproducts. These byproducts then attack the enamel on your teeth. After repeated acid attacks, the enamel breaks down and a hole or a cavity is formed.
What is a sealant?
A sealant is a durable, clear resin film. We apply this to your most vulnerable chewing surfaces, such as the back teeth. Sealants act as a barrier, protecting your teeth from plaque and acid.
Why are sealants necessary?
If you look at your back teeth, you’ll notice that they have special grooves and depressions, called pits and fissures, on the chewing surfaces. These are difficult to clean, even with regular brushing, and plaque and food trapped in these pits and fissures can cause decay. Sealants cover and protect this area, preventing bacterial plaque and the resulting acids from penetrating the teeth enamel and causing decay.
Who should have sealants applied?
We usually recommend sealants for children with newly erupted permanent teeth to provide them with early protection in life. But sealants aren’t just for kids – teenagers and adults can have them, too.
How are sealants applied?
Before we apply sealants, our hygienist thoroughly cleans your teeth. Then, we apply a weak acidic solution to your teeth to roughen the chewing surfaces. This helps the sealant stick to the enamel. Finally, the sealant is brushed on the tooth enamel and allowed to harden. The whole procedure only takes a few minutes.
Do sealants need to be reapplied?
Sealants are very durable and when applied, penetrate the tooth enamel. You may not need to apply another sealant for several years. You still need to practice good oral hygiene and schedule regular check-ups. During your appointments, we will check the sealant and let you know if it needs to be reapplied.
