About Sealants

What are Sealants?

Brushing and flossing are the best ways to help prevent cavities, but it’s not always easy to clean every nook and cranny of your teeth – especially those back teeth you use to chew (called molars). Molars are rough, uneven and a favorite place for leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria to hide.

Still, there’s another safety measure to help keep those teeth clean. It’s called a sealant, and it is a thin, protective coating that adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth. They’re no substitute for brushing and flossing, but they can keep cavities from forming and may even stop early stages of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity.

In fact, sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. This is especially important when it comes to your child’s dental health. Did you know, according to the CDC, “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants?”

Who does Sealants work best for?

Children and adults can benefit from sealants, but the earlier you get them, the better. Your first molars appear around age 6, and second molars break through around age 12. Sealing these teeth as soon as they come through can keep them cavity-free from the start, which helps save time and money in the long run. Ask your our team if sealants are a good option for you and your family.

What’s involved in Sealants?

It’s a quick and painless process. After we clean and dry your tooth before placing an acidic gel on your teeth. This gel roughs up your tooth surface so a strong bond will form between your tooth and the sealant. After a few seconds, we will rinse off the gel and dry your tooth once again before applying the sealant onto the grooves of your tooth. Then we will then use a special blue light to harden the sealant and presto you are done!

Are you ready to perfect your smile?

Are you ready to perfect your smile?  Let the team at Vallejo Family Dentistry see if Sealants are right for you.  We are here to help you learn more about your oral health in Vallejo California.

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Questions & Answers

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

How Often Should I Get a Dental Checkup?

Dental health varies from person to person; a general rule for adult patients is to visit a dentist once or twice a year, even if your mouth is in excellent condition. This way, you can get your teeth professionally cleaned regularly and maintain excellent oral health.

What Are the Best Ways to Practice Good Oral Hygiene at Home?

In addition to daily brushing and flossing, take your oral hygiene to the next level by following a few steps to good dental health. These include:

  • Using products that contain fluoride
  • Limiting snacks that are high in sugar
  • Eating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables
  • Avoiding tobacco in any form

How Can I Improve the Whiteness of My Teeth?

A beautiful smile with clean, white teeth is a huge confidence booster. Most people experience some discoloration of teeth over the years, either from surface stains or internal ones. Treat stains caused by coffee, wine, tobacco, and pigmented foods with at-home whitening or have professional, in-office whitening done regularly. For internal discoloration, consider composite bonding or the application of veneers to the affected teeth, which provides a more permanent solution.

How Do I Prevent Tooth Decay, Gingivitis, and Other Problems?

The best way to ensure a healthy mouth is to follow a balanced diet and regularly visit the dentist while maintaining your oral care routine with twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing. Protect yourself against problems that can advance quickly by discussing these questions with your dental professional.

Why Should I Have Dental X-Rays Taken?

Your dentist should take a full set of dental X-rays early into the doctor-patient relationship. X-rays help your doctor monitor any changes that could be happening in your teeth between appointments. Most adult patients have bitewing X-rays every year and a full mouth series every four to five years. But those with a higher risk for dental caries problems may need them every six to 18 months.

What Is Tooth Sensitivity and Why Do I Have It?

Patients with tooth sensitivity feel pain when they consume foods or drinks that are hot or cold, sweet, or acidic. Sensitivity happens when tooth enamel, which usually protects the tooth’s pulp and dentin, is thinned from repeated exposure to acidity and extreme temperatures. Sensitivity can also occur as a result of:

  • Receding gums
  • Tooth grinding during sleep
  • Chipped or fractured teeth
  • Tooth whitening
  • Orthodontics and fillings

When Should I Consider Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the ideal way to replace missing or weakened teeth. Implants are permanent and serve as an excellent alternative to dentures for anyone with an otherwise healthy mouth and jaw. Most adult patients are good candidates for dental implants because they can help prevent the remaining teeth from moving or loosening.

Should I Use Mouthwash Regularly?

It depends – there are different kinds of mouthwash. Cosmetic mouthwashes aim to freshen breath and to maintain a healthy teeth color, but they contain fluoride to help fight cavities as well. Therapeutic rinses work to help treat conditions such as gingivitis, tooth sensitivity, and inflammation. For more advanced conditions, prescription mouthwashes often contain chlorhexidine gluconate to kill bacteria that cause bleeding, inflammation, and plaque or biofilm formation.

At What Age Should My Child First See a Dentist?

Studies show children can develop their first cavities by two years old, so the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends booking the first visit once their first tooth appears – or, at the latest, their first birthday. This helps your dentist catch potential problems that can affect your child’s overall health and well-being as more teeth grow in overtime.

When Do Baby Teeth Typically Fall Out?

Most children begin losing their baby teeth between the ages of six and eight. They typically fall out in roughly the same order in which they grew. Keep in mind that all patients are different. Children and adult oral conditions depend on how long they’ve gone without an appointment, how long a child’s baby teeth last, and what kinds of things you are naturally more sensitive to.

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