To prevent gum disease or any other oral infection, it’s vital to visit your California dentist office for a regular checkup so they can perform preventive oral care options. In some cases,  experience dentists may also provide deep cleanings or even dental sealants to help prevent tooth decay. 

Defining Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a thin resin coating that dentists use on the back teeth, the molars and premolars. This process is used to help prevent cavities because they essentially form a physical barrier on the tooth surface. Dental professionals place sealants on the tooth in liquid form and then cure them chemically or via light activation.

Purpose of Dental Sealants

Because the grooves located on top of molars and premolars are difficult to clean with a toothbrush, bacteria could build up and cause cavities. Therefore, dental sealants prevent food, acids, and plaque from developing in the grooves of the molars and premolars. Dental sealants also prevent tooth decay. Patients could save themselves the discomfort of receiving fillings by getting dental sealants early on. Children are the most likely to develop cavities on molars.

Fortunately, dental sealants help protect permanent molars and prevent cavities. On average, sealants last between 5-10 years. Every time a patient gets a dental checkup, the dentist will check sealants to ensure they’re still operating at their highest level. The American Dental Association of Scientific Affairs highly recommends the placing of dental sealants on both children and adults to prevent cavities.

Applying Dental Sealants

There’s a specific process that dental professionals must follow when placing dental sealants. First, the dentist must thoroughly clean the molars and premolars. Then a conditioning acid gel is placed on top of the molar for a few seconds. Next, the teeth must be rinsed and dried. Once teeth have dried, they must paint the sealant into the grooves of the tooth. Finally, to dry the sealant, they will use a light for about 10-30 seconds.

When to Get Dental Sealants

It’s important to schedule a checkup at a dentist office whenever patients feel their bite isn’t right, or if they lose their sealant. Fortunately,  most insurance plans cover dental sealants. However, some plans cap coverage at a certain age. It’s important that patients discuss payment options with their dental office and not let that stop them from getting the preventive care they need.

Experienced California Dentists

At McBride Dental, our team provides different options for preventive care, one of them being dental sealants. We evaluate our patients and determine if dental sealants are right for them. Our main goal is to help patients protect their mouths and prevent tooth decay, gum decease, or any other detrimental oral infection. We understanding the severity and discomfort of diseases, which is why we work with patients to prevent diseases before they develop and need treatment. If patients visit our office regularly, we inspect and treat early signs of oral damage before they expand and become painful. If you, or someone you love, is experiencing symptoms or want early protection from cavities, call 760-471-1003 to schedule an appointment.