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When it comes to your oral health, we want to do everything we can to protect your teeth. One of the strategies that we frequently recommend at our office to help you keep your smile for a lifetime is sealants. If you’ve never heard of sealants, or are wondering why you need them, here’s everything you need to know:
What are sealants? Sealants are a thin plastic material that covers the biting surface of the tooth - or the “occlusal surface” as we call it in the dental field. They’re like clear fillings that sit on top of your teeth. Because the material is so thin, you won’t even notice the sealant is there. And don’t worry - the plastic is BPA-free and completely safe! Why would I need a sealant? Have you ever noticed the deep grooves that are in your back teeth? Even with regular brushing, sometimes those cracks can be hard to clean out. This is because in many people these grooves are either too deep or too narrow for the bristles on the toothbrush to clean them. Over time, the grooves can collect bacteria and form cavities. To help avoid this, sealants can be placed on the surface of the tooth to - you guessed it - seal those cracks. This makes the grooves shallower, allowing your brush to effectively remove all the bacteria from your teeth. |
Applying the sealant material to a (fake) tooth.
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Are sealants only for kids?
The answer to this one is easy - sealants are definitely not only for kids! While they are more common in our younger patients, adults can benefit from them as well. In most cases, teeth wear down over time, which means that by adulthood your grooves are no longer as deep as they were initially. However, that’s not always the case. Sometimes you may still have some grooves that could cause problems.
Next time you’re in the office, feel free to ask us if you might benefit from sealants.
Do sealants hurt?
That best part about sealants is that they’re extremely helpful for maintaining your oral health and don’t hurt at all! Your tooth will be cleaned with an acidic etch (we often call it tooth shampoo for the kids), and then a small amount of the liquid sealant material will be applied to the grooves of the teeth. The liquid turns to a solid with the use of the curing light and that’s it.
How long do sealants last?
With the right care, sealants can last several years. However, their lifespan depends largely on your own habits. Chewy candy and other sticky foods can pull them off, so if you enjoy Now & Laters or similar sweet treats, you might need your sealants replaced more often. However, keeping your teeth free of bacteria through regular brushing can help them last longer.
Do I still need to brush?
Yes! There’s unfortunately no shortcut when it comes to keeping your teeth in great shape. While sealants will help avoid cavities, brushing is still extremely important for preventing decay. Sealants are meant to make brushing easier, not to replace it altogether.
The answer to this one is easy - sealants are definitely not only for kids! While they are more common in our younger patients, adults can benefit from them as well. In most cases, teeth wear down over time, which means that by adulthood your grooves are no longer as deep as they were initially. However, that’s not always the case. Sometimes you may still have some grooves that could cause problems.
Next time you’re in the office, feel free to ask us if you might benefit from sealants.
Do sealants hurt?
That best part about sealants is that they’re extremely helpful for maintaining your oral health and don’t hurt at all! Your tooth will be cleaned with an acidic etch (we often call it tooth shampoo for the kids), and then a small amount of the liquid sealant material will be applied to the grooves of the teeth. The liquid turns to a solid with the use of the curing light and that’s it.
How long do sealants last?
With the right care, sealants can last several years. However, their lifespan depends largely on your own habits. Chewy candy and other sticky foods can pull them off, so if you enjoy Now & Laters or similar sweet treats, you might need your sealants replaced more often. However, keeping your teeth free of bacteria through regular brushing can help them last longer.
Do I still need to brush?
Yes! There’s unfortunately no shortcut when it comes to keeping your teeth in great shape. While sealants will help avoid cavities, brushing is still extremely important for preventing decay. Sealants are meant to make brushing easier, not to replace it altogether.