Dental Sealants in Norwood
Also Offering Dental Services for the Greater Norwood area including Westwood, Walpole, Canton, and Dedham MA
When it comes to cavities, the Pediatric and Family Dentistry of Norwood team believes in the power of prevention. Sealants are an incredibly effective strategy at preventing cavities, particularly in children. Preventing cavities before they start saves you or your child from potential pain and discomfort of cavities as well as the time and inconvenience of getting fillings. According to the American Dental Association, sealants placed on permanent molars, or the teeth at the back of the mouth, can reduce the risk of cavities by 80 percent.
How Do Dental Sealants Work?
The chewing surfaces of your back teeth have tiny grooves and crevices that are difficult to keep clean. The pits are so small that the bristles of a toothbrush can’t completely reach them. As a result, bacteria and leftover food particles can collect in the crevices for a long time, forming a sticky film called plaque. Plaque produces acids that eat away at tooth enamel and create the tiny holes we know as cavities.
Sealants are resin coatings that seal or fill these crevices and grooves to keep bacteria out. With a physical barrier over the teeth, food particles and bacteria can’t get stuck and lead to the production of plaque and enamel-destroying acids.
Dental sealants are often used on children’s teeth, as cavities are common among children. When a child develops a cavity, it can cause pain as well as problems chewing, and raise the risk of infection. Sealants are also beneficial for adults.
Dental Sealant Treatment Details
The process of getting a dental sealant is quick and completely painless. We will clean and dry the tooth and apply a solution to etch or roughen up the tooth surface; this helps the sealant material better bond to the tooth. Next, the dentist will paint the sealant material onto the tooth in liquid form, covering all of the tiny grooves and crevices on the surface of the tooth. Finally, a special curing light may be used to harden the sealant into place.
Sealants can provide cavity protection for years — sometimes up to five years or more. We encourage you to stay on top of your oral health with routine dental visits for cleanings and exams. During each exam, we will check your sealant and if it is chipped or damaged, replace it. We also urge you to continue brushing and flossing daily, as sealants are not a substitute for daily oral hygiene.
Learn More About Dental Sealants
For more information about dental sealants and other preventative dental strategies offered at our practice, please contact the team at Pediatric and Family Dentistry of Norwood.
