What are Dental Sealants? Salem OR

A good oral hygiene regimen can go a long way in preventing tooth decay and tooth loss, but even the most careful brushers can struggle with keeping their teeth clean. Your molars, the teeth in the far back, are especially vulnerable to tooth decay, as their unique shape and location can make them harder to keep clean. They are also under more pressure, as they are your chewing teeth and are prone to small fissures and openings in them. We here at Oak Park Dental like to offer dental sealants to our patients as an extra layer of protection for their teeth to prevent decay and lost teeth.

What are Dental Sealants?

Sealants are a thin layer of material, a strong and durable plastic, that is placed over your molars to help protect them from decay and cavities. Of course, it is no replacement for taking good care of your teeth! Make sure you brush your teeth twice per day, for two minutes per session, with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Follow up with flossing, making sure you clean up under the gumline to remove any plaque or trapped particles. Combined with a good cleaning regimen, sealants have been demonstrated to help reduce your risk of tooth decay by an incredible 80 percent!

Getting dental sealants is an extremely easy and painless process. To have sealants placed over your teeth, we will first start by thoroughly cleaning the surface of the tooth. We will also inspect it closely to ensure there is no existing tooth decay, and if there is, we will address it first before placing the sealant. Sealants can be placed over areas of minor tooth decay to help prevent it from getting worse.

Once we know your tooth is ready for the sealant, we apply it by simply gently bathing your tooth for a few seconds in acid. This helps abrade the surface of your tooth slightly, giving the sealant a surface to grip on to securely. Once we rinse this acid off, we will dry your tooth, then apply the sealant. It takes only seconds for the sealant to dry, but we will cure it with a special type of light to help it harden faster and stronger.

If you take good care of your teeth, you can expect your sealant to last up to ten years. Sealants do not need to be removed and instead will naturally start to erode through normal wear and tear over time. During your dental exam, we will check the status of your sealants to determine how much they have worn down, and if necessary, add more sealant material to your teeth to ensure ongoing protection to them.

Dental sealants are quite safe to use and are extremely beneficial to your teeth. They can help ward off tooth decay and cavities and can help keep your teeth strong and healthy. If you are interested in learning more about dental sealants and how they can help you preserve your beautiful smile, please give us here at Oak Park Dental a call at (971) 600-0211 today to schedule an appointment with us or to learn more about dental sealants.