6 Benefits of Dental Sealants

by | Sep 9, 2014

If your Hendricks County child favors juice to water or loves to eat sweets, dental sealants can protect your child’s teeth from the harmful effects of decay-causing bacteria – keeping your child’s smile beautiful.
Dental sealants act as a barrier, protecting the chewing surfaces of hard-to-reach teeth where food, bacteria and plaque can collect, causing tooth decay and cavities. In fact, dental sealants have been shown to reduce cavities by 86% after one year and 58% after four years, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Other benefits of dental sealants include:

  1. The dental sealant application procedure is fast and easy. And your child won’t experience any pain or discomfort. Once a tooth is cleaned, an acid solution is applied to roughen the chewing surface, so the dental sealant will adhere to the tooth better. The tooth is then cleaned and dried. Dr. Jon Erickson of Danville Family Dentistry in Hendricks County will then apply a thin layer of liquid plastic to the tooth, coating the grooves and depressions. Sometimes an ultraviolet light is used to help the sealant harden.
  2. Dental sealants keep food and bacteria from getting into the pits and grooves of the molars. These areas are harder to keep clean with regular brushing and flossing. According to research, almost everyone has a 95% chance of getting cavities in the hollows and fissures of their teeth. But dental sealants protect these vulnerable areas from cavities.
  3. Dental sealants are a highly effective preventative treatment. Per studies, a properly applied sealant is 100% effective in reducing the occurrence of tooth decay.
  4. Dental sealants are virtually invisible. Sealants can be clear, white or tinted for a more natural appearance.
  5. Dental sealants aren’t just for kids. While the American Dental Association recommends that children in the cavity-prone years (ages 6 to 17) have their 6- and 12-year-old molars sealed, adults can also benefit from having the grooves of their teeth sealed, too, against decay.
  6. Dental sealants are cost effective. At approximately a third to a half the cost of a filling, sealants are a good value and typically are covered by most dental insurance policies.

While dental sealants can last from 5 to 10 years, they are susceptible to wear and tear. But as long as the sealant remains intact, it will protect your child’s teeth from cavities.
To determine if you or your child can benefit from dental sealants, contact Danville Family Dentistry, located in Hendricks County, to schedule an appointment to talk with Dr. Erickson.