Who Can Get Sealants?

Anyone can get a sealant applied to their teeth. The general rule is the sooner, the better, though even adults who want to protect their teeth from further decay can benefit from having a sealant placed on their teeth, even later in life.

The important thing is taking the first step and seeing a dentist near you about protecting your teeth. We can’t control everything, but a sealant will help when brushing and flossing aren’t enough.

How Are Sealants Applied?

Luckily for children and adults, applying a sealant to the teeth is a painless procedure that normally doesn’t take very long at all.

Like most dental services, the process of applying a sealant begins with a thorough examination of the teeth. Depending on the shape of the tooth and whether or not there is any buildup, it may need to be cleaned first. Most of the time, a gentle cleaning only takes a few minutes, as compared to a full teeth cleaning.

Once this is done, the teeth that are to be sealed are rinsed thoroughly, dried, and then coated in a special solution that allows the sealant to adhere better. The teeth are then cleaned and dried again.

The actual sealant is then applied, much like applying paint or nail polish. It is thinly painted onto the teeth and, after about a minute or so, hardens to a solid finish. This forms an invisible barrier that helps protect teeth from future damage.

If you’re worried about protecting your or your child’s teeth, start today by asking your local dentist if they offer sealants as part of their dental services.