Protective Dental Sealants in San Jose
At Dennis Baik, DDS, we provide dental sealants in San Jose, CA, as a way to protect teeth and prevent cavities. We encourage you to schedule an appointment with our dental office, so we can examine you and your family and find out if dental sealants are the right preventative care solution for your dental issues.
What are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are an incredibly thin plastic coating that we brush onto the chewing surfaces of your molars or back teeth. Food can easily become trapped inside the deep ridges on the chewing surfaces of these teeth and can be incredibly difficult to clean. At Dennis Baik, DDS, we prevent food and plaque buildup by sealing these ridges with dental sealants. By eliminating the areas where food becomes trapped, the risk of cavities is decreased.
Who Should Get Dental Sealants?
Both children and adults can get dental sealants. However, this procedure is most commonly performed on children who have not yet suffered from tooth decay (at least on the tooth or teeth in question). If you or someone in your family has deep ridges in your teeth, this can be a beneficial solution for cavity prevention and maintaining optimal oral health.
Typically, children do not mind getting dental sealants. The process is easy, fast, and comfortable. There is no drilling or invasive preparation, and the sealant itself does not cause any irritation or smell funny. It is truly an easy way to prevent cavities.
What is the Procedure Like?
The procedure for teeth sealant in our San Jose office is incredibly easy. It starts with a thorough cleaning of your teeth. Afterward, we will apply a gel to the surface of your teeth and let it dry. Then, we will rinse and dry your tooth again before finally placing the protective coatings.
The sealant is painted onto the tooth and sometimes dried with a special dental light. The process only takes a couple of minutes per tooth, and it is so easy that our patients are usually surprised by how quickly it is done.
After applying the sealant, patients don’t even notice them because they are completely clear. If you run your tongue along your teeth, you may be able to feel a slight difference, but they are smooth and will not make you feel uncomfortable in any way.
Do Dental Sealants Really Make a Difference?
Yes, they do. By preventing food and plaque from becoming stuck in your teeth, the risk of developing cavities is significantly reduced. As a result, you and your family may experience less tooth decay, fewer cavities, and the need for dental restorations. This means fewer dental appointments and more money in the bank.
At Dennis Baik, DDS, we have found that sealants typically last for five to ten years. They are incredibly effective but we will want to monitor them during regular dental examinations.
Naturally, there are certain things, like chewing on pencils or biting down on ice, that can wear down the dental sealant. That’s why it is important to make safe and healthy choices regarding what is put in the mouth. If we see that they are wearing down, we may recommend that they be replaced so that you or your children can continue to benefit from this layer of protection.
Shielding Teeth from Decay
Schedule an appointment today for dental sealants in San Jose, California. At Dennis Baik, DDS, we can examine your teeth and your children’s teeth and provide you with all of the information you need to make an informed decision.