Sealants in Mesa, AZ

Good dental hygiene includes brushing teeth twice a day and flossing daily. Our dentist in Mesa, AZ, also has other ways to prevent dental decay on your child’s teeth. Young children, who may not like brushing their teeth, can get sealants applied to them to keep cavities away. They have been in use since the mid-1960s and have saved millions of teeth.

What is a Sealant?

A dental sealant is a coating that our dentist brushes onto molars and premolars. These back teeth do most of the food chewing when you’re eating. These teeth have crevices and pits that can trap food debris in them. As this debris breaks down, it can lead to decay. Using a sealant prevents food from sticking in or between teeth.

What Happens if the Sealant Tears?

As you chew on the teeth with sealants in Mesa, AZ, they can wear, get holes or tears in them. Fortunately, repairing them is easy for our dentist near you. To fix a sealant, they will brush more of the sealant over the tear or hole and dry it. It is a simple repair, and then It is as good as new.

How Long Does a Sealant Last?

Once on your child’s teeth, a sealant will last up to 10 years. They can start getting them when the first set of molars emerge from their gums, which occurs at around ages five or six. Then, when the second set of molars break through the gums at around 11 or 12 years old, they can get sealed as well.

Young adults can also have our dentist near you apply a sealant to their premolars and molars, as long as they are free from decay. Tooth decay can spread under the sealant, so the patient’s teeth undergo a thorough examination to ensure no active decay. The sealant also releases fluoride to keep teeth strong.

If you’re concerned about your children’s teeth, contact our offices at U Smile Family Dentistry to book an appointment. Our dentist offers sealants for children’s teeth to ensure they have healthy smiles throughout their lives.