Dental Sealants in Mt Vernon, NY

Maintaining good dental health is crucial for everyone, and one of the ways to ensure your teeth remain strong and cavity-free is by using dental sealants. At Aurora Smiles in Mt Vernon, NY, we offer dental sealants as a preventive measure to help protect your teeth from decay and cavities.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin coatings put on the chewing surfaces of back teeth to protect them.These teeth have natural grooves and pits that can trap food particles and bacteria, making them more susceptible to cavities. Sealants work by covering these areas, creating a barrier that prevents decay.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

Applying dental sealants is easy and doesn’t hurt.It involves cleaning the tooth, applying a gel to make the surface rough, rinsing it off, and then painting the sealant onto the tooth. A special light is used to harden the sealant, forming a protective shield over the tooth’s surface. This shield prevents food particles and bacteria from getting stuck in the grooves, reducing the risk of cavities.

Who Should Get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are particularly beneficial for children and teenagers, as their permanent molars are still developing. Applying sealants early can help protect these teeth from cavities as they grow. However, adults can also benefit from sealants, especially if they have deep grooves in their teeth that are difficult to clean.

Children and Teens: The first permanent molars usually appear around age 6, and the second set comes in around age 12. Applying sealants at these stages provides early protection against cavities.

Adults: Adults with deep grooves in their molars or those who are prone to cavities can also benefit from dental sealants. Sealants can be applied to healthy teeth that do not have existing cavities or fillings.

Benefits of Dental Sealants at Aurora Smiles

1. Effective Cavity Prevention: Sealants are highly effective in preventing cavities by blocking out food particles and bacteria from getting stuck in the grooves of the teeth.
2. Quick and Painless Application: The process of applying sealants is quick, easy, and painless, making it an excellent option for children and adults alike.
3. Cost-Effective Preventive Care: By preventing cavities, dental sealants can save you from more expensive dental treatments in the future.
4. Long-Lasting Protection: With proper care, dental sealants can last several years, providing long-term protection against decay.
5. Safe and Reliable: Dental sealants have been used for decades and are a safe and reliable method to protect teeth from cavities.

The Process of Applying Dental Sealants 

Here’s what you can expect during your appointment:

1. Thorough Cleaning: The dentist will begin by thoroughly cleaning the teeth that will receive the sealants. This step is crucial to ensure that no food particles or bacteria are trapped under the sealant.
2. Preparation of the Tooth Surface: After cleaning, a special gel is applied to the tooth to slightly roughen the surface, which helps the sealant bond more effectively.
3. Application of the Sealant: The dentist will then paint the liquid sealant onto the tooth’s surface, ensuring that it flows into the grooves and pits.
4. Hardening the Sealant: A special curing light is used to harden the sealant, creating a durable protective layer over the tooth.
5. Final Check: The dentist will check the sealant to ensure it is smooth and securely bonded to the tooth, providing maximum protection.

Caring for Your Teeth After Sealants

Once dental sealants are applied, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene to ensure they last as long as possible. Here are some tips for caring for your teeth after getting dental sealants:

1. Brush and Floss Regularly: Continue to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Even though the sealants protect your teeth from cavities, it’s still important to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
2. Avoid Hard Foods: While dental sealants are strong, they can still be damaged by hard or sticky foods. Try to avoid chewing on hard candies, ice, or other tough foods that could chip or break the sealants.
3. Visit the Dentist Regularly: Regular dental check-ups are important to ensure the sealants remain intact. Your dentist can check the condition of the sealants during your routine visits and reapply them if necessary.
4. Use fluoride toothpaste : It helps to make your teeth stronger and stop cavities . Using fluoride toothpaste can provide extra protection for your teeth, even with sealants in place.

Ready to Protect Your Smile?

At Aurora Smiles in Mt Vernon, NY, we’re committed to helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. Dental sealants are a simple yet effective way to prevent cavities and keep your teeth strong. If you’re interested in learning more about dental sealants or want to see if they’re right for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our experienced dental team.