Dental Sealants

In our fast paced society, we are always looking for the quickest fix with an ideal solution to problems that we face on a regular basis. What if there were a quick dental fix that could prevent a large majority of tooth decay and cavities? Would you be interested? Of course you would, and we are happy to tell you about one of the simplest methods of protecting your teeth.

Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings that are applied directly to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay from occurring. For a long time, many dentists only offered dental sealants to children as their teeth were more vulnerable to decay through their development. However, these days, the benefits from dental sealants are available to dental patients of all ages. At Green Dental of Alexandria, we are proud to offer dental sealants as a preventive dentistry measure in your optimal oral health care.

The premolars and molars within the mouth consist of many grooves and pits, giving these teeth a very rough surface in order to successfully chew and break down food. However, it is these same grooves and pits that are often at the highest risk for decay. Food particles are easily trapped in these uneven surfaces, attracting a greater amount of bacteria and acids to congregate in these areas. Germs and bacteria within the mouth use sugars in foods to produce acid. When acid is present, the teeth become susceptible to decay. Because food particles are often left behind in the back teeth, sometimes even after brushing, dental sealants offer a great amount of protection.

Dental sealants “seal out” food particles from becoming trapped, thus sealing out acids from collecting on the molars and creating cavities. Dental sealants are a simple and painless procedure that is done in the dentist’s office following a dental cleaning. This simple procedure has the potential to protect the back teeth for up to four years without a necessary reapplication.

Green Dental of Alexandria understands the importance of prevention when it comes to achieving optimal oral health. If you would like more information about dental sealants or would like to schedule an appointment to have them applied, please contact our dental practice today. We look forward to serving you and your family.