Sealants

Cavity prevention is a must for children’s dental health. Even with your best intentions for your child’s dental care, though, issues can still arise. That’s where our team at BeGentle Dentistry comes in!

Dental sealants are a highly effective solution for preventing decay and preserving children’s dental health as their teeth grow. These thin, hard protective layers are applied to children’s teeth as an extra layer of protection against toddler tooth decay as your child learns healthy oral habits like brushing and flossing.

If you’re looking for special needs dentistry, dental sealants are also an excellent option for these patients and their oral health.

What is a Dental Sealant?

For patients of any age, a daily routine of brushing and flossing works wonders for preserving and protecting your smile and overall health. 

However, sometimes this isn’t enough to treat hard-to-reach parts of the mouth–especially for patients who are just learning how to properly care for their teeth. If left untouched, food debris on teeth creates plaque and bacteria that break down your enamel.

In both children and adults, cavities can hurt long-term oral health if left untreated. For young patients whose teeth are still developing, decay can be detrimental.

Dental sealants are a preventative treatment, meaning they stop bacteria buildup before it can even start. Applied to the biting and chewing surfaces of baby teeth, they protect the developing surfaces of these teeth from decay and plaque. 

Adults, especially our older patients, are also welcome to explore our dental sealant services, too. At BeGentle Dentistry, we believe preventative dentistry is important for every age demographic.

How are Dental Sealants Applied?

The sealant application process is quick, easy and painless, making it perfect for children.

 First, our team will evaluate teeth to make sure there is no preexisting sign of decay. If decay is spotted, this will need to be treated instead.

Next, we will apply a thin layer of resin coating to the chewing and biting surface of the teeth. To ensure quick drying, we’ll use a special light to harden the sealant.

Applying a sealant only takes a few minutes per tooth. Like a dental filling, if properly cared for a sealant can last for several years before a replacement is needed. Sometimes, sealants can last up to 10 years!

How do Dental Sealants Work?

Dental sealants are healthy, safe, affordable and effective for protecting teeth. The resin coating applied to teeth is smooth to touch, but tough in terms of protection. It keeps bacteria from attaching to the tooth, and also smooths the tooth so brushing is easier.

Looking for Dental Sealants in the Central Indiana area?

At BeGentle Dentistry, our team specializes in preventative dentistry for both children and adults. Call our office at 765-453-9389 to discuss sealants for you or your child!