If you’ve been concerned about your child’s propensity to acquire cavities, then you’ll want to consider dental sealants. Sealants are plastic coatings which are used to protect the grooves and pits of teeth. Getting sealant is a painless procedure generally performed in office. You can schedule an appointment for dental sealants today by calling (951) 383-6858 (Temecula office) or (951) 667-1595 (Riverside office). Dr. Mehta & Associates has handled thousands of painless sealant procedures.
The Secret of Sealants
Sealants are typically applied on molars and premolars. These sites are chosen because they are the most susceptible to collecting sugars and food particles that escape brushing. Toothbrushes have difficulty in extracting debris from the deepest areas of the pits of molars and premolars. Thus, dental sealants provide another level of protection to these areas. Dr. Mehta has found that her child patients that have sealants nearly always have less cavities than those without them.
Nevertheless, sealants are not mandatory. But they can help children who are at a high risk of tooth decay. Any child who has had a cavity in the past three years is a lot more likely to suffer from tooth decay. By making sure that your child gets the right preventive care and by choosing to apply sealants to first and second molars, you can protect your child’s teeth from being overcome with cavities.
Another point to consider is that adults can receive sealants as well. Getting dental sealants is a strategy that many adult patients utilize to prevent future cavities. They can be especially helpful if you work long hours and are unable to brush regularly.
Nearly 60 to 70 percent of molar and premolar cavities are preventable with the use of dental sealants. Additionally, most dental plans cover dental sealants (some plans cover them at 100 percent of cost since they are a preventative measure).