Here’s A Simple Way To Protect Teeth From Cavities

When patients visit the office for a routine hygiene examination, the biggest concern is always tooth decay and if cavities need to be treated. This is especially true of our very young patients who may have never experienced a cavity or gotten a filling. Cavities form when the dental enamel, the outer covering of the tooth, becomes damaged from decay. This can be caused for a variety of reasons and is easily treatable. However, there is a treatment that is beneficial in preventing cavities from developing. Read on to learn more about this simple, yet effective treatment.

What are Dental Sealants?

When patients visit our office, the biggest concern is always the need for additional treatments. For patients with little or no history of tooth decay, especially our young patients, cavities are always at the forefront of their thoughts while visiting us for a hygiene examination. Cavities are particularly prevalent in the rear molars, where it is more difficult to clean and remove lingering food. This is usually the case for patients who have deep grooves in the rear molars. Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a treatment that worked to prevent cavities from forming on these teeth? There is! A dental sealant is a clear coating that is brushed on the back molars with particular attention to the deep grooves and lines on the biting surface. These sealants act like a protective shield helping to fend off decay and inhibit the development of cavities.

Who Would Benefit from Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are typically recommended for children as a way to protect not only their baby teeth, but more importantly the adult teeth that are emerging. They are used during the critical stages of growth when the adult molars need to be protected. Although not a typical treatment for adults, they can also receive dental sealants if there is no prior history of cavities in their rear molars.

If you would like to consider sealants for yourself or your child, please feel free to contact us with any questions. We want to make sure you have the information you need to make the best choices for your dental health in West Chester, OH. We look forward to seeing you soon!