There is a lot you can do to prevent cavities. Brushing and flossing every day, using enamel-strengthening products like fluoride toothpaste, and making smart food choices can all make a big difference. Unfortunately, there are some risk factors we can’t control.

Many people naturally have deeper grooves in their molars. In many cases, they are too deep or narrow for toothbrush bristles to clean completely, allowing bacteria to build up and cause serious damage. At Lake Baldwin Dental, we’re committed to protecting your smile with effective preventive dentistry, including dental sealants in Orlando.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Sealants are thin, protective coatings that are painted onto the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (molars and premolars). Specifically, they’re made of a tooth-colored resin like we use for dental fillings. By filling the deep pits and grooves in your teeth, sealants help keep out food and bacteria that can lead to cavities. Think of them as a raincoat for your teeth that keeps them safe from harmful acids and plaque buildup.

While sealants can be highly effective in preventing tooth decay, there are cases where they do more harm than good. Improperly applied sealants can actually trap bacteria against the tooth while making it harder to identify developing cavities and preventing strengthening products like fluoride toothpaste from reaching into the grooves. For this reason, we only recommend them in very specific cases where we’re sure the benefits outweigh the risks, and when we’re sure the tooth is strong and healthy and hasn’t had a chance to build up cavity-causing bacteria.

Who Should Get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are most commonly recommended for children and teenagers. The best time to apply them is as soon as a permanent molar comes in, usually around age 6 for the first set and age 12 for the second. Since kids and teens are still learning how to brush and floss effectively, their teeth can be more vulnerable to cavities. Sealants provide an extra layer of defense to keep their smiles healthy.

Adults can sometimes benefit from sealants too. If you have deep grooves in your molars that are hard to clean, a sealant might help prevent decay. However, as mentioned above, we typically don’t recommend sealants if the tooth may already have bacteria deep in the grooves. Our team is happy to let you know if sealants are a good option for you or your child at your next checkup.

How Are Dental Sealants Applied?

The process of getting dental sealants is quick, painless, and completely non-invasive. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Cleaning the Tooth: First, we’ll thoroughly clean and dry the tooth to make sure there’s no plaque or food debris.
2. Preparing the Surface: We’ll apply a special gel to roughen up the surface slightly, which helps the sealant bond properly. It also removes any residual contaminants to ensure a completely clean environment.
3. Applying the Sealant: We’ll paint the composite resin onto the tooth, filling in the grooves and crevices.
4. Curing the Sealant: We’ll use a special curing light to harden the sealant and make sure it stays in place.

That’s it! The entire process takes just a few minutes per tooth, and you can eat and drink normally right after your appointment. It doesn’t require any numbing, and won’t change the look or feel of your tooth.

How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?

Dental sealants can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years, depending on your diet and your bite. We’ll check them at each visit to make sure they’re still intact. If they become worn or chipped, they should be removed, as imperfect edges can allow bacteria to leak into the grooves, where decay can develop undetected. The best way to make them last as long as possible is to maintain good oral hygiene and avoid chewing on hard objects like ice or pen caps.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Dental Sealants?

While dental sealants are an excellent way to prevent tooth decay, they’re not ideal for every situation. At Lake Baldwin Dental, we take a conservative approach to treatments like dental sealants and only recommend them in specific cases.

PROS:

• Our dental sealants are durable and use BPA-free composite resins to ensure they’re completely safe and hypoallergenic.
• Sealants are a smart investment that can save you money on expensive dental work in the future.
• They’re durable and last several years.
• Sealants are a reliable method for preventing tooth decay with very high success rates.

CONS:

• In some cases, you may feel the sealant for the first few days, until it adjusts to your bite.
• There are rare cases where bacteria can get trapped under a sealant. This makes tooth decay harder to detect because the sealant masks the cavity in its earliest stages. For this reason, we typically only recommend sealants for newly erupted molars, or in situations where we can ensure the grooves are completely clean before adding the sealant.
• Sealants may wear away and become “leaky” over time, allowing bacteria to get under the resin.
• They can be damaged by extremely hard foods, or by habits like chewing on pen caps or other objects, so it’s important to be mindful of how you’re using your teeth!

Because problems usually only happen if a sealant breaks down or becomes damaged, we also strongly recommend keeping up with regular dental care so Dr. Dunn and Dr. Nestle can check the edges of each sealant and recommend revisions when needed. Although sealants last a long time, they don’t last forever and will need to be removed or touched up occasionally.

We Believe in the Power of Preventive Dentistry!

At Lake Baldwin Dental, we believe in the power of preventive care. Our team is here to make sure you and your family get the best protection for all the smiles you love. Whether you’re considering sealants for your child or wondering if they might be right for you, we’re happy to help! We’ll always take the time to explain your options and ensure that every treatment is comfortable and stress-free.

Routine dental cleanings are an ideal time to ask about dental sealants so we can examine the teeth and determine whether they’re appropriate. If you have any questions about how to protect your family’s smiles, get in touch! Keep smiling, Orlando!