Protect Your Smile with Dental Sealants in Schaumburg, IL

Preventive care is always the best solution for your dental health. If you are proactive about oral hygiene and early detection, it minimizes the need for more intensive treatments in the future. In addition to regular checkups and cleanings, dental sealants are often part of the preventive treatment plan.

At Schaumburg Tooth Doctor, we offer sealants and other preventive services to help you maintain a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Here are a few things to consider if you are looking at sealants and other options for preventive dental care.

How Dental Sealants Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay can affect any tooth and can be a problem for people of all ages. The risk of decay goes up if bacteria stay on the surface of the tooth. Often, chewing surfaces of the teeth are at the highest risk because they have small grooves that trap food particles and bacteria, leading to tooth decay.

The fissures and pits on the chewing surfaces are hard to clean thoroughly while brushing. So, if a person is prone to tooth decay, the dentist might recommend tooth sealants as a preventive measure. This treatment can keep food particles off the high-risk areas of the tooth, helping to prevent decay.

What Happens During a Tooth Sealant Treatment

If you decide to have dental sealants, the dentist will carefully apply a plastic coating over the surface of the tooth. This treatment is most commonly done on children to protect their baby teeth. Dental sealants can be repeated since it’s normal for the sealant to wear off over the years.

The dental sealant material is transparent, so you won’t notice the protective layer on your teeth. After the sealant is applied to the teeth, the dentist uses a curing light to harden the sealant material.

Schedule a Checkup, Cleaning, and Sealant Application

Make sure you are maintaining a checkup and cleaning schedule twice a year. During your appointment, you can talk to our team at Schaumburg Tooth Doctor to decide if teeth sealants are right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I have sealant put on my children’s teeth?

Dental decay is a common problem affecting children and teens. You want your child to have a healthy smile for life, and tooth sealants offer an option to minimize the risk of decay and cavities.

2. What is the ideal timing for sealants?

Most dentists recommend sealants after the child’s permanent molars have grown in. Usually, the first molars are in place around age 6, and the permanent molars grow in by age 12.

3. Are teeth sealants painful?

No, you won’t experience any pain during the dental seal treatment. First, the tooth is cleaned, rinsed, and dried. Then, the sealant material is painted on the tooth and cured using a light.

4. How long do sealants last?

Most sealants will last for 9 – 10 years. But there are times when the sealant pops up early. Maintaining a regular schedule with dental checkups will allow the dentist to determine whether the sealants are still working.