Patients can get dental sealants from a general/family dentist. The dentist begins by cleaning the teeth. Then, the dentist roughens the surfaces by placing an acidic gel on the teeth. This allows the sealant to bond to the teeth. The dentist rinses the gel and puts a sealant over the grooves. The dentist trains a blue light on the sealant to harden it.

Food particles get trapped in the deep grooves present on molars. The food particles create bacteria, which cause cavities. By sealing the top of the chewing surface, the food cannot get trapped in the grooves. Bacteria cannot eat away at the top of the tooth.

Many children get dental sealants as soon as the molars come in. This is usually by the age of six for the first molars and the age of 12 for the second molars. However, dental sealants are not limited to children. Adults can also get dental sealants to protect the teeth.

Many adults who get dental sealants already have cavities in the molars. As long as the cavities have been filled, the general/family dentist can place sealants over the teeth. The sealants protect the teeth so that they do not suffer any additional damage. By protecting the tooth, people do not have to worry about it weakening due to multiple cavities.

A dental sealant is not meant to last a lifetime. Dentists examine sealants during each checkup to ensure they are still working. Over time, the sealants will wear away. This usually takes around 10 years. The dental sealants can be replaced once they wear away. If the sealant has not worn away but it is chipped or cracked, the dentist can add more material to it to repair it.

Dental sealants blend in with the natural teeth. The clear material is invisible to the naked eye. People can laugh and talk without anyone seeing the sealants. Also, because the material is clear, dentists can examine the teeth underneath them. That includes any previous dental work.

You can get dental sealants during a visit to your general/family dentist. Your dentist can prepare your tooth and place the sealants in a matter of minutes. The sealants will prevent food particles from getting into the grooves of your molars. You can get sealants at any age and you can get them on teeth that have been treated for cavities. Sealants are invisible to the naked eye and last for approximately 10 years.