Sealants

Dental sealants are a preventative measure used to preserve the teeth and tooth enamel. Almost half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth, and at Greenville Family Dentistry we regularly apply sealants for young patients to start protecting teeth early!  Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14. It is best to have a sealant placed when the molars first come in to ensure they are protected early. 

Most tooth decay in children and teenagers occurs on the chewing surfaces of molars, where the pits and grooves tend to trap food and bacteria.  Dental sealants are applied to surfaces of these back teeth much like paint. The plastic resin fills any pits and grooves on the surface and hardens. Now the surface is protected from bits of food being stuck, so bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.  Sealants also protect tooth enamel from plaque and acids, and can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years.

If you think anyone in your family would benefit from a dental sealant, please contact us.  Dr. Christopher Emuedue operates Greenville Family Dentistry at 7215 I-30, Suite B, Greenville, Texas, 75402.  To schedule an appointment, call 903-455-6701, or visit GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Dental Sealants for Extra Protection

Dental health is important right from the start! It is important to start good dental hygiene in childhood. Here at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, we can place dental sealants on molars so they are further protected from decay.

Dental sealants are literally seals that go over your molars. Since molars commonly have dips and grooves in them, they can be prone to cavities, especially in kids. Bacteria and other debris can be hard to brush away and it can lead to decay.

To apply the sealants, the teeth are first cleaned and dried. An acidic solution is then placed on the teeth to roughen up the surface. This aids a strong bond between the sealant and the tooth. The acidic solution is rinsed off, the teeth are dried, and the sealant is painted onto the surfaces. A light is then used to harden the area. 

Sealants are great for kids to protect their baby teeth and their adult teeth. Sealants are also great for adults who have never had a cavity or a filling in their molars.

A little extra protection could go a long way when it comes to dental health. To schedule an appointment with Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call our office at (903) 455-6701 or visit our website, www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com.