All About Dental Sealants

Modern dental care includes sealants to ward off cavities. Cavities are common, but dental sealants can help you prevent them by adding a thin, protective layer to your molars.

At Greenwich Dentistry in Greenwich, Connecticut, we offer a range of dental care services, including such preventive measures as teeth cleanings and dental sealants. 

Why consider dental sealants?

The molars in the back of your mouth help you chew food. Those teeth feature a rugged surface that allows you to tear meat and other foods into small particles so you can swallow and digest them.

However, the molars — most adults have 12 — have pits that can collect food particles, and brushing and flossing don’t always get rid of them. 

Those food particles can break down on and around your molars and lead to cavities. Dental sealants offer a protective barrier for your molars, preventing what you eat from settling in your molars and causing decay.

Sealants have become more popular as dentists increasingly prioritize cavity prevention. 

How dental sealants work

At Greenwich Dentistry, getting dental sealants is a simple and painless procedure. We start by thoroughly cleaning your teeth to ensure there’s no debris or bacteria on the surface of the tooth or teeth being treated. 

Next, we add a special solution that creates a rough surface on the teeth so the sealant has something to stick to. Then we apply a liquid sealant that quickly hardens.

Benefits of dental sealants 

Thanks to a fast and painless procedure, dental sealants are a perfect cavity prevention measure for children, teens, and adults. They’re more cost-effective than filling cavities, and they can last years. Plus, there’s no downtime, so you can go about your day afterward.

When you have regular teeth cleanings, we check your sealants and may recommend reapplying. But if you keep up with brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, your sealants offer excellent next-level protection for your teeth. 

Limitations of dental sealants 

If you’re considering sealants, be aware of their limitations too. For one, they primarily protect the chewing surfaces of teeth. They don’t protect the sides or areas between your teeth. You still need to brush and floss your teeth daily. 

Sealants do wear down over time or can become damaged. Your Greenwich Dentistry dentist can advise you on when it’s time to reapply. 

Dental sealants are a useful cavity-fighting tool, allowing your molars to perform their important function free from decay. To learn more about sealants or other ways to protect your teeth, call our Cos Cob office today.