Seal Out Dental Cavities

All of the teeth in the mouth have specific functions. The front teeth are used to cut foods with their sharp, thin edges. The canines (pointed “eye teeth”) are used for holding or grasping food. All of these front teeth also promote the correct pronunciation and articulation needed for proper speech. The back teeth are the premolars and molars, which are used to chew and crush food so that it is easy to swallow and digest. All of the teeth in our mouth serve specific functions, and all of them are needed for a healthy and beautiful smile. However, not all of them are as easy to keep clean as others. The back teeth, the premolars and molars, are often the most difficult to clean because of their structure. They have many grooves and pits in them so that their uneven surface makes the chewing of food easier. Yet, it is these grooves and pits that often cause problems.

As food is chewed and broken down in the mouth, natural acids occur to aid in this process. Foods with high sugar contents promote more acids in the mouth. While this is a natural process, these acids can cause extreme damage to the teeth. The premolars and molars are the most susceptible to the damage these acids produce because they tend to collect in the grooves and pits in these teeth. Over time, these acids can make a cavity in the tooth.

Dental sealants prevent tooth decay from occurring. They are thin, plastic coatings painted onto the premolars and molars to seal out food particles and acids from accumulating in the grooves. The application of dental sealants is very simple:

• The teeth are thoroughly cleaned
• The tooth is dried
• A solution is used to roughen up the surface so that the sealant will easily stick to the tooth
• The tooth is rinsed and dried
• The sealant is painted on
• The sealant is hardened with a curing light

The entire process takes about two minutes per tooth, and it is entirely painless. Dental sealants can last for around four years, preventing cavities from occurring.

If you are interested in dental sealants for you or a family member, please contact Modern Family Dental Care today. We proudly offer this preventive dental procedure, in addition to regular cleanings, to promote optimal oral health for all of our patients. As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”

We offer our dental treatments in 2 convenient locations:
Concord Dental Office Location

Charlotte Dental Office Location