We seal our concrete sidewalks. We seal envelopes. But, did you know you can seal teeth? Your Rigby family dentists, Dr. Richard George and Dr. Boone Allen, offer plastic sealants at Towne Square Dental. These thin, biocompatible coatings guard children's molars against the ravages of tooth decay. Could they help your child?
How do dental sealants work?
Back teeth are deeply grooved and pitted. That's what makes them efficient chewers. However, this same surface variability harms tooth enamel because it holds onto organic matter from the foods we eat. Even the best of toothbrushers cannot completely remove plaque and tartar from back teeth.
Dentists back in the Seventies developed plastic sealants to serve as a long-term barrier against the oral bacteria which lead to decay. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research says 42 percent of all children under the age of 11 have at least one cavity. Underserved populations in the US have most of this decay.
So, your Rigby family dentists see great value in sealants. They are easily applied, painless, economical, long-lasting, and best of all, effective.
Dr. George or Dr. Allen identifies the teeth which would benefit most from this preventive service. Then, he cleans the chewing surface, dries it and using a little brush, paints on the tooth-colored plastic.
When fully coated, the dentist hardens the material with a special blue light. Then, as required, he goes on to the other teeth. Each treatment takes about ten minutes to complete.
Living with sealants
Honestly, only your dentist will know the sealants are there. Dental bite and color do not change, and rarely does the coating chip, crack or wear thin. In all, sealants should last about ten years. Then, they may be re-applied as needed. Even adults may experience the protection afforded by dental sealants.
Interested?
Plastic sealants, along with a healthy diet, brushing, flossing, and routine in-office care at Towne Square Dental will help your child enjoy healthy, decay-free teeth for years. To book his or her next appointment, please contact the office in Rigby, ID, at (208) 745-8704. Your family dentist or hygienist will be happy to tell you more about sealants and other ways to prevent decay.