What Are Preventive Sealants?
Dental sealants are thin coatings that are applied to the biting surface of a child’s molars in order to prevent decay. With a small brush, a dental sealant, a thin clear or white resin liquid, is applied to a child’s molars. The liquid sealant bonds to the tooth using a small brush. It dries with a blue LED light, leaving a hard layer.
The American Dental Association (ADA) states that a sealant protective layer can reduce your child’s chance of developing cavities by 80%. Because it’s not painful, and non-invasive, it doesn’t require anesthesia or numbing agents.
Dental sealants are safe for your child and pose a little risk while they are in place. Sealants simply bond to the tooth and do not penetrate the tooth like a filling. Sealants are a non-invasive method to protect your child’s teeth from cavities.
Sealants are made from a medical-grade resin. Sealant material has a runny texture and can be applied with a small brush to the teeth and will easily flow into any micro-grooves or crevices. There has been concern over BPA in sealants in the past, but modern sealant materials have no BPA.
How do Preventive Sealants Work?
Dental sealants protect the chewing surfaces of back teeth from food and germs. Sealants protect teeth against cavities by sealing out bacteria, food, or other cavity-causing substances.
