Everything One Needs to Know About Dental Sealants

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everything one needs to know about dental sealants

At Playa Family Dentistry, we offer dental sealants in Carrollwood as a way to protect teeth and prevent tooth decay and cavities. Read more to learn about the benefits of dental sealants near you!

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are made of a thin, plastic coating and are applied to the chewing surfaces of your back molars to prevent tooth decay.

Why Are Dental Sealants Needed?

When you run your teeth along your back molars, you will feel many grooves and pits in them. Food can easily become trapped inside these deep ridges and fissures in your back molars, and these areas are very difficult to effectively clean even with good oral hygiene practices. When a dental sealant is applied to back molars, it creates a smooth surface for easy and efficient cleaning and “seals” out any harmful bacteria.

Who is Eligible for Dental Sealants?

Your dentist in Carrollwood often suggests that your child gets dental sealants as a preventative measure before they have even had any occurrences of tooth decay or cavities. However, both children and adults can get dental sealants to maintain optimal oral health.

What is the Procedure for Getting Dental Sealants?

Getting dental sealants is an incredibly easy and straightforward process. When you visit Playa Family Dentistry, our dentist near you will begin by cleaning your teeth. After this, they will apply a gel to your teeth and let them dry. Finally, they will paint the dental sealants onto your back molars and bond them to your teeth with a special curing light. The entire process only takes a of couple of minutes per tooth, and patients are usually surprised at how quickly their appointment is done.

Since the process for getting dental sealants is so quick and non-invasive, children also typically don’t mind getting them, and it is a great step in helping them maintain optimal oral health during their lifetime.

What do Dental Sealants Feel Like?

Most of the time, patients don’t even notice that they have dental sealants. Dental sealants are completely clear and are not noticeable visually in the mouth either.

How Much of a Difference do Dental Sealants Really Make?

Dental sealants make a world of difference when it comes to protecting teeth from tooth decay and cavities! As a result of getting dental sealants, you will likely experience less tooth decay and lower your probability of needing dental restorations in the future. Getting dental sealants means fewer future dental visits and more money saved.

How Often do Dental Sealants Need to be Replaced?

Dental sealants usually last between 5-10 years. They are very effective but should be checked during your regular dental exams at Playa Family Dentistry. Dental sealants will wear down faster if you have habits such as chewing on the back of your pencils or biting down on ice. If our dentist near you notices that your dental sealants are wearing down, they will recommend that they be replaced so that you can continue to benefit from them.

Where Can You Get Dental Sealants?

At Playa Family Dentistry, we are happy to offer dental sealants in Carrollwood as an option for preventive dental treatments. When you schedule an appointment with us, our dentist will examine your teeth and determine if you are a good candidate for dental sealants. Our team is happy to provide you with all the information you need about dental sealants to feel confident that you are making an educated decision that is in the best interest of your oral health. Please feel free to contact our clinic to book a consultation today!