Dental Sealants Seattle, WA

We love dental sealants at Crown Hill Smiles and you will too. They are one of the best innovations in dentistry. A dental sealant is a resin material that our dentists paint into the deep crevices of back teeth, areas where bacteria can easily gather and cause cavities. Once the sealant is placed, we use a light to set it so that it is hard and blends in with the enamel of your tooth. By sealing these vulnerable areas, we can prevent future cavities!

How Dental Sealants Work

Dental sealants act as a shield for the chewing surfaces of the rear molars, protecting them from the decay causing bacteria that cause cavities. The surfaces of the molars can contain crevices that are so small that even a single toothbrush bristle cannot reach the bottom! If you cannot brush away decay causing plaque, you cannot be expected to prevent cavities. Our answer is to seal those tiny cracks and crevices off with a dental sealant so that the bacteria can’t even reach the surface of the tooth.

Are dental sealants just for children?

No. Dental sealants can be used for any of our patients. We do recommend that all of our child patients receive dental sealants. It will help protect their teeth through their formative years when they are still learning the process of caring for their teeth. Without sealants, a majority of children will have at least one, and most children will have multiple cavities by the time they turn 18. The exciting news here at Crown Hill Smiles is that we are seeing more and more children who have had sealants reach adulthood without ever experiencing a cavity.

Adult patients who have had problems with tooth decay are good candidates for dental sealants. By sealing over deep grooves that are prone to collecting plaque and cavity-causing bacteria we may be able to prevent future tooth decay.

Who is at highest risk for cavities?

There are a few different things that can put you at high risk for developing cavities. If you know that one of or both of your parents have had multiple cavities, you might have a genetic predisposition to them. Some people have mouths that are more conducive to decay-causing bacteria than others.

Another common reason why people get cavities is they grow up in an area without fluoride in the water. Most often this affects those who grow up in rural areas, where they rely on well water instead of treated, city water.

Finally, young kids and teens are at a much higher risk of developing cavities for a wide variety of reasons. Kid’s don’t do as good a job of brushing and flossing regularly, or thoroughly. They are more apt to eat sugary foods that encourage decay-causing bacteria.

Dental sealants are a great way to protect your teeth, no matter who you are!

Why should I get dental sealants?

Dental sealants are a cost-effective, preventative step that will reduce the instance of tooth decay on the chewing surfaces of your molars. If you have questions regarding dental sealants and would like more information, contact our Seattle office at: 206-204-9623