You brush your teeth to keep them clean, you floss your teeth to keep them healthy, but what are you doing to protect them? Dental sealants are plastic coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth that seal out decay. Having dental sealants applied is the easiest method for protecting the teeth from cavities and decay. At Gold Hill Dentistry, we are proud to be a dental practice that serves patients of all ages achieve ultimate dental health.

The back teeth are the most susceptible to cavities and decay. These back molars have deep grooves, known as fissures, which make them vulnerable to decay. These deep spaces easily trap small food particles and sugars, leaving them behind to damage the teeth. Plaque builds up in these fissures, and the acid from the plaque begins to eat away at the tooth enamel allowing holes in the teeth for decay to develop and expand. Dental sealants provide extra protection for these back teeth because they create a smooth surface that covers the surface area of the teeth to seal out vulnerability to cavities forming.

Dental sealants are a very quick and easy dental procedure. They are placed on the teeth after a thorough cleaning to ensure that no particles or bacteria are under the sealants before they are applied. The teeth will be dried and then an acidic solution is placed on the fissured area of the teeth’s surfaces to roughen up the surface so that the sealant will bond completely. The liquid dental sealant is applied to the teeth and it is hardened by a special light so that it becomes a hard plastic varnish coating. This sealant allows you to chew normally with the back teeth while blocking out decay.

Patients of all ages are great candidates for dental sealants. If you are interested in having dental sealants applied to your teeth or to your children’s teeth, please call Gold Hill Dentistry today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving your family and helping you all achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.