The best way to manage tooth decay is to keep it from happening in the first place. Brushing and flossing every day and making regular visits to your dentist are vital to preventing cavities. At Newtown Dentistry we offer another tool to help keep your teeth healthy: Dental sealants.
Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating applied to the surfaces, nooks, and crannies of the back teeth. At Newtown Dentistry, we routinely provide this pain-free, stress-free, cavity-fighting service for children and adults of all ages. Sealants help prevent cavities from forming and, in some cases, stop small cavities from getting worse.
While there’s no substitute for good oral hygiene, we know parents welcome all the help they can get keeping their family’s teeth healthy. We make seeing our dentists simple and convenient. Our team knows the challenges of juggling busy schedules filled with work, school, and other activities. We offer convenient appointments that work with your calendar. We’re here to ensure you and your family get the accessible, accommodating dental care you deserve.
When you make your appointment, you and your child can look forward to a relaxing, fun environment unlike any dental office you’ve ever visited. From the climbable treehouse and play area to the treasure box packed with exciting rewards (even for teens and adults!), we’re willing to bet you’ll be excited about your visits to Newtown Dentistry.
How Applying Sealant to Teeth Benefits Oral Health—and More
Many Newtown Dentistry patients want to know if sealants are really that important to oral health. The answer is a resounding “Yes!”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report dental sealantsprevent 80% of cavities in the back teeth. Preventing childhood cavities is a priority, as tooth decay is linked to increased school absences and learning challenges, so sealants also benefit your child’s overall health and well-being.
Tooth decay is preventable. Daily brushing and flossing are the best ways to maintain optimal oral hygiene. But children may struggle to reach and clean the molars’ deep pockets. Over time, bacteria left behind on the teeth can form plaque, which eventually eats away at tooth enamel and leaves teeth vulnerable to decay.
The good news is, dental sealants help prevent this decay. The sealant is a resin coating that covers the pits and fissures in tooth surfaces where leftover foods like to settle. It prevents cavities and even early stages of tooth decay from developing on fully sealed chewing surfaces of the molars.
Dental sealants often keep cavities at bay anywhere between two to four years. Sealants help preserve your child’s overall dental health—and compared to the cost of future problems caused by tooth decay and/or gum disease, sealants are well worth the investment! Sealants are usually quite affordable, and our friendly and knowledgeable dental team can answer any questions you may have.
How Does the Process of Applying Sealants Work?
Dentists typically apply dental sealants during a regular cleaning appointment. Once they have cleaned and polished your teeth, your dentist will prepare a gel to “rough up” the teeth’s surface and create a stronger bond with the sealant. They dry the teeth before applying this gel, which they rinse off after a few minutes. They dry the teeth again before applying sealant, which they then harden using blue light.
Applying dental sealants takes only a few minutes and is painless. Some children report a strange or unpleasant taste in their mouth during application, which goes away quickly after rinsing. It’s okay to eat and drink right away after getting sealants, as well.
Can Dental Sealants Be Applied Over Existing Cavities?
In some cases, sealants can be applied over a tooth that is already showing signs of decay. If the tooth isn’t severely compromised, the sealant can stop the cavity from progressing. The affected tooth will have to be monitored with exams and occasional X-rays to ensure the sealant is working. Still, sealants may be a viable alternative to a filling.
Can Adults Get Sealants Applied to Their Teeth, Too?
You never outgrow the risk of tooth decay. Adults can get cavities, too, and should take steps to avoid them.
Dental sealants can benefit adults with teeth that don’t have any decay or have very small cavities. Sealants especially benefit adults who consume a lot of sugary foods and drinks, which are a leading contributor to tooth decay. As with children, sealants are no substitute for daily brushing and flossing and visits to the dentist, but the treatment can help reduce the effects of any lapses in proper oral hygiene.
Prevention is always better than treatment. The earlier you get sealants, the better! Sealing permanent molars as soon as they come through helps prevent cavities from the start. During your dental exam, ask your dentist if sealants are a good option for you.
Take the Next Step Toward a Healthier, Happier Mouth
If you want to speak with us about dental sealants, call us any time at (215) 774-5193, or schedule your appointment online now.
Many Newtown Dentistry patients want to know if sealants are really that important to 
You never outgrow the risk of tooth decay. Adults can get cavities, too, and should take steps to avoid them.
