Dental Sealants

The Importance of Dental Sealants in Preventing Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Prevent tooth decay and stop this destructive process with affordable, hassle-free dental sealants

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting children. The CDC reports that almost one of every five children in the U.S. has at least one untreated, decayed tooth. Likewise, periodontal disease (gum disease) is one of the most common conditions among adults, affecting around four in 10 Americans aged 30 and older. Both of these conditions represent the leading causes of tooth loss. Fortunately, they are preventable with professional services at Complete Health Dentistry of SoCal in Poway, California.

Prevent Tooth Loss With Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin coverings made from safe acrylic. Our dentist, Dr. Erela Katz Rappaport, places sealants on the back teeth. These teeth are generally harder to reach, making them difficult to clean. Additionally, they feature fissures or uneven, pitted surfaces that trap food particles. Lingering food debris and bacteria promote the development of harmful plaque. As plaque builds up, it erodes the teeth and releases toxins that break down the gums or attachments between the teeth. As gum disease progresses, it also eats away at the supportive bone.

Sealants keep these damaging substances away by literally “sealing them out.” Sealants can be easily applied during regular dental check-ups. Dr. Rappaport “paints” the sealant onto the surfaces of clean, dry teeth using a fine brush. She then hardens the material to the teeth to support the strongest bond between the sealant and each tooth. Sealants are very well-tolerated and aid in relieving tooth sensitivity by halting the progression of dental decay, which is associated with enhanced discomfort or sensitivity when consuming sweet, hot, or cold drinks and foods.

Dental sealants may be recommended to protect the teeth and prevent cavities and other forms of decay among children and adults at risk of developing oral diseases. Generally, the sooner that we can place sealants, the better the patient will be. So, Dr. Rappaport may recommend their application as soon as the first back teeth erupt through the gums – a process that usually occurs around the ages of six or seven.

Sealants are not only well-tolerated and very effective at preventing damage to the teeth, but they are also affordable. They are typically covered by insurance plans as a preventive service. We are also happy to discuss our in-house membership plan, the Rappaport Dental VIP Club, which is focused on access to affordable, preventive services and generously discounted restorative and cosmetic treatments. We encourage you to contact us today at (858) 726-5554 with questions and to schedule an appointment. We’ll see you soon!