Dental Sealants

Dental Sealants in Kennewick, WA

At A Family Dental Center, we recommend brushing and flossing daily to prevent the development of cavities in the teeth. We offer oral hygiene education for parents of small children who need help in practicing these skills. For an added level of protection, dental sealants can be applied to the teeth. We offer this treatment at our dentistry near you in Kennewick to help protect children’s oral health.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a clear plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surface of the teeth. Why just this area? It is the most likely place for cavities to form, especially in the back teeth of young children. Not only is it more difficult to reach this area to clean it as thoroughly as the rest of the mouth, but the teeth have what are called pits and fissures, areas where food debris and plaque can collect and cause harm to the tooth surfaces. Dental sealants form a barrier over the teeth to protect them from these harmful substances. The procedure is more commonly performed for children because they are at a higher risk for developing cavities.

How Are Dental Sealants Applied?

The procedure to have dental sealants placed on the teeth is very quick and simple. No type of anesthesia is required for this procedure, but because your comfort is important to us at A Family Dental Center, we can discuss options in sedation dentistry if your child experiences dental anxiety. Your dentist will start by checking the teeth being treated (the back molars) for traces of decay. If any are found, they will be gently removed first before the teeth are cleaned and dried. The teeth will then be “etched” to form a stronger bond with the sealant material, which will be painted onto the teeth. It can either harden on its own or be hardened using a special light. Before your child knows it, the procedure will be over, and they will have extra protection against cavities.

At our dentistry near you in Kennewick, we are dedicated to promoting oral health. Dental sealants are just one procedure we offer as part of that goal.