Horizon Dental provides dental sealants as one of our many preventive measures to help protect your teeth.

Daily brushing and flossing is an important part of preventing cavities. However, teeth with deep pits and grooves can be difficult to keep clean over a lifetime. The combination of bacteria, leftover food, acid, and saliva form a biofilm known as plaque. Bacteria in this plaque create acid that will dissolve enamel and create holes in teeth, resulting in tooth decay or cavities.

What are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants or tooth sealants are a thin, protective coating that is placed in the pits and grooves on the chewing surface of your teeth, forming a smooth surface that is easy to clean. Dental sealants are placed before a cavity occurs and will help prevent tooth decay. These shouldn’t be confused with dental fillings, which are a treatment applied after a cavity has already occurred. Dental sealants are preventive measures that work alongside other oral care methods to decrease the risk of tooth decay.

Who should get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are most effective when placed on children and adolescents at an early age before a cavity is formed. The best time to get a dental sealant is soon after the first and second adult molar teeth enter the mouth, before a cavity has an opportunity to form. This occurs at approximately age 6 and 12.

Application of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants do not involve any drilling into the tooth and local anaesthetic is not required. They are applied using a simple procedure that requires only a few steps:

1. Your teeth are cleaned thoroughly
2. A special tooth conditioning gel is applied to the teeth to form a surface that helps in maintaining a strong bond between the tooth and the sealant.
3. The dental sealant is applied to the grooves of your teeth.
4. The dental sealant is then hardened using a specialized light.

Dental sealants are an important component of preventive dentistry, which includes regular brushing and flossing, good oral hygiene, and regular dental examinations.

The professionals at Horizon Dental can help you get ahead of your cavities and preserve your oral health today. Call us 905-475-5673 or contact us here to book your next appointment!