ice

5 Things You Must Know About Dental Sealants

April 17th, 2017

1. What are they?

A dental sealant is a protective coating that is placed over the grooves of a tooth to prevent dental cavities.  Sealants help protect the chewing surface of teeth.  Sealants are generally placed on molars, but sometimes can be placed on hard to reach crevices on other teeth.

2. How are the done?

Once the tooth is cleaned and dried, the sealant material is placed onto the grooves of the tooth.  A curing light is then used to harden the liquid sealant into a hard, waterproof, cavity fighting shield.

3. Do I need to get my teeth numbed for sealants to be placed?

No. The process of placing a sealant is quick and painless.  No local anesthesia is needed.

4. How do I maintain them?

Brush and floss just like you would any other teeth. Also to prevent sealants from chipping avoid ice or hard candy.

5. How do I find out more about sealants?

Check out our website for more info about sealants.  Then, contact All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and inquire about sealants for your child.

5 Things You Must Know About Dental SealantsDr. Allen Job, DDS, MS, MPH, MS is a board certified pediatric dentist who practices in San Diego, California, where he specializes in prevention.  He is also an assistant professor at Loma Linda University Department of Pediatric Dentistry.