The most common location for dental cavities to form is on the chewing surfaces of the back molars. This is because these surfaces are not smooth and are filled with small pits and fissures, which trap food debris, plaque, and bacteria. It’s not always easy for your toothbrush to reach all the way into these small spaces, leaving the perfect conditions for tooth decay to form and dental cavities to begin to develop.

The Purpose Of Dental Sealants 

Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem, and that solution is known as dental sealants. Dental sealants are a great way to protect these vulnerable areas in the back of the mouth, especially for children who may have a more difficult time brushing the back surfaces of the teeth. 

Dental sealants consist of an invisible plastic resin coating that serves to smooth out the chewing surfaces of the back molars, helping to protect them from decay. Teeth that have been sealed are much less likely to develop dental cavities, which may cause your child pain, or eventually require more expensive dental treatment in the future. 

The process of having dental sealants places is a simple and painless one. The first step is to examine, thoroughly clean, and disinfect the teeth that are to be sealed. The teeth will then be dried and the sealant is applied as a liquid to the surfaces of the teeth. A special light will be used to harden the sealant, which should only take a minute or two. Once this is done, the teeth have been sealed and will be much less vulnerable to tooth decay and dental cavities. 

Caring for Dental Sealants 

Caring for your child’s dental sealants is the same as caring for his or her normal dental hygiene. It’s important to make sure your child is brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing every day, and visiting Severance Dental every six months for a dental cleaning and a checkup. If you take good care of dental sealants, they can last up to 10 years! Dr. Kelly will check for wear and tear of the sealants at each checkup and reapply them if necessary. 

For more information on dental sealants in the areas of Severance, Windsor, Greeley, Eaton, Ault, Timnath, and Fort Collins, Colorado, please contact Severance Dental today.