Dental sealants
Despite all our progress in oral health, cavities are still a common issue. You may be surprised to learn that by age 19, nearly 60% of Canadian children have had at least one cavity. But at Dominion Street Dental, we believe in a proactive approach to protecting your smile, and we’re here to help you win that fight. We offer dental sealants, an excellent way for both young patients and adults in the Alliston, ON area to protect their teeth and keep them healthy for life.
When you hear “cavity,” you probably think of a filling, but it’s actually a small hole caused by tooth damage. Your tooth is like a tiny house: at the center is the pulp with nerves and blood vessels, surrounded by dentin, and protected by enamel. Though enamel looks solid, it has microscopic channels leading to the dentin.
Harmful bacteria in your mouth form plaque, which traps food and produces acid when feeding on sugars and starches. While saliva helps neutralize acids and repair enamel, frequent exposure to sugary or acidic foods lets acid erode enamel and create holes. Left untreated, cavities spread to the dentin and pulp, causing pain, infection, or the need for root canals or extractions.
We provide restorative care like fillings and crowns, but our main focus is prevention. That’s why we’re proud to offer simple, effective options such as dental sealants and fillings
While cavities can form on any tooth, your back teeth, or molars, are especially vulnerable. These large teeth are designed for grinding food, and their surfaces have a naturally uneven “topography” of deep ridges, valleys, and grooves. This unique shape makes them perfect for breaking down your food, but it also makes them a perfect trap for bacteria and food particles.
Even with excellent daily brushing, some of these deep grooves are too narrow for the bristles of your toothbrush to reach. This means that plaque and bacteria can easily become entrenched and flourish in these tiny spaces, resisting even the most thorough home care. This is a significant reason why these teeth are so susceptible to decay. Our goal is to make sure you have all the tools and care needed to protect these vital teeth.
While daily brushing and flossing are your first line of defense against cavities, dental sealants are a powerful second line of defense. Think of them as a clear raincoat for your teeth. A thin, liquid plastic is painted onto the chewing surfaces of your freshly cleaned molars. It flows into all the tiny grooves and crevices, then quickly hardens to create a protective shield that keeps bacteria and food particles out. This barrier can even stop a tiny acid hole from ever becoming a cavity.
Because the sealant material is clear, we can continue to visually monitor the sealed area at all your future visits.
While baby teeth can be sealed, we typically recommend sealants for kids as soon as their secondary molars emerge, usually between the ages of 6 and 12. This simple step can dramatically increase their chances of having a cavity-free mouth for life! In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that children without sealants have about three times more cavities than those who are protected.
Dental sealants for adults are also a great option. This extra precaution is especially beneficial for anyone who:
At Dominion Street Dental, the sealant procedure is completely comfortable and quick. We can perform it during your regular checkup, right after your professional cleaning and exam.
Our dental hygienist will start by drying the teeth to be treated and then apply a special gel. This gel gently and microscopically roughens the surface of the tooth, which helps the sealant bond securely. After a few seconds, the gel is rinsed away and the tooth is dried again.
Then, the sealant is painted on and hardened instantly with a special light. There is no downtime at all. You can get right back to eating, drinking, and your normal routine as soon as you leave the office. It’s a simple step that offers big protection!
Our patients love dental sealants because they offer so many benefits in a simple, straightforward procedure. Here’s why this treatment is so popular:
Would you like to have fewer cavities and avoid fillings, too? Give us a call at Dominion Street Dental in Alliston, ON at 705-410-0961 to schedule a dental sealant treatment.
